You never know what an antique may be worth or where it originated from.
Emily Weber, a massage therapist and body worker from Manitoulin Island, was surprised when she had a small Goddess figurine and bell appraised at the British Antique Roadshow consultations, held at Market Square on the weekend. It was the first time the antique experts were in the city, though they had been to Canada a number of times.
Dozens of people, like Weber, were curious as to what their favourite objects were worth.
"I had bought this Goddess bell from a second-hand shop in Kitchener a couple of years ago for under $10. I purchased it because I liked it," said Weber, who had a massage table at the market, opposite the roadshow tables.
Goddess objects refer back to a time, thousands of years ago, when human societies were matriarchal, or female-centred in Europe, said Weber.
"I had been learning belly dancing at the time and the figurine had an ideal stance for that kind of movement I thought," she said.
The man who sold it to her was unsure where it had originated.
"This man later had a stroke and so it reminded me of him. It was special. I considered it a gift."
Antique experts with the roadshow appraised the figurine bell at a value of $195 to $215. They said it probably came from the area of Slovakia, Ukraine or Romania.
"The whole piece was 200 to 250 years old but they said the top of the piece may be much older because of the style of the female's hair."
Weber said the figurine, and bell contained within it, helps her to clear spaces.
"I ring the little bell to drive away any negativity that may be around."
David Freeman, an antique consultant with the roadshow said, sometimes what people bring in may not be worth all that much.
"Take paintings. People have brought us what they thought was an original and it turned out to be a print. Or, they bring in what they think was a Group of Seven painting and it was instead done by an imitator. So the value of the items can go both ways - a pleasant surprise or a disappointment," said Freeman.
