A guest on Antiques Roadshow in Derry was overjoyed to learn that a antique table he brought to the show—reportedly a gift from the Chinese Emperor—could be worth a considerable amount of money. The item was evaluated by antiques expert Lennox Cato, who examined the table’s origins linked to Lord Macartney of Loughguile, a village in Northern Ireland.
Cato explained the historical context behind the piece, noting that Lord Macartney was the first British ambassador to China in the late 1700s. During his diplomatic mission, Macartney met with the Emperor, though their encounter was marred by a cultural clash. “The Emperor expected envoys to show respect by kowtowing, which didn’t sit well with Macartney. He refused to comply, and after the meeting, the Chinese reportedly felt they had done enough by granting him an audience,” Cato explained.
Upon returning to Britain in 1794, Lord Macartney was allegedly gifted two boxes from the Emperor, which were believed to be connected to the tea trade. The guest on the show revealed that the table presented was made from these two boxes, sparking Cato’s interest.
“This Regency-style table, dating from around 1810-1820, is made from two tea boxes. When I see pieces like this, one name comes to mind—Gillows, the renowned furniture makers based in Lancashire,” Cato remarked.
The table’s connection to Lord Macartney’s historic mission and its quality craftsmanship raised expectations for its potential value, making it a fascinating piece on the popular BBC program.
