Rare Antique False Teeth Valued on Antiques Roadshow

A guest on BBC's Antiques Roadshow was astonished to learn that a set of false teeth found at the bottom of a junk box could be worth a significant amount. Expert John Foster, who has been on the show for over a decade, expressed his excitement at finally seeing such a rare item. The teeth, which were crafted with gold components and porcelain, indicated that their owner would have been quite wealthy in the 18th century when dental issues were rampant among the affluent due to high sugar consumption. Foster recounted historical practices, including surgeons experimenting with tooth implantation in chicken heads and the grim practice of harvesting teeth from corpses after battles. The guest's father had purchased the box of junk at a boot fair for just a few pounds, highlighting the unexpected value of seemingly ordinary objects. This episode showcases the fascinating intersection of history and personal artifacts.