Antiques star in Wolverhampton to inspect treasures

The Antiques Roadshow stalwart was at Wightwick Manor valuing items of visitors at the Wolverhampton beauty spot.

Knowles has built up a relationship with the manor after his company Dreweatts auctioned off four pieces of artwork, bought by the manor, that were created by famous designer and architect Philip Webb.

The original drawings of Webb were then turned into the famed Forest Tapestry which was produced by the company of William Morris, Morris & Co.

The tapestry, which shows a lion, a fox, a raven, a hare and a peacock, as well as the drawings, are on display at Wightwick Manor.

Knowles said: "The people of Wolverhampton are really very lucky to have such a wonderful place right on their door step.

"It is fitting that The Forest Tapestry should be here in Wolverhampton.

"The drawings were owned by Laurence Hodson of Compton Hall as he regularly dealt with Morris & Co.

"This is a unique piece of work. The ultimate tapestry.

"The manor has the pictures of the lion, fox, raven and hare but the peacock picture is still out there."

Around 100 people had their items valued by Knowles who admitted he didn't manage to send anyone away to book a world cruise.

He added: "We did have someone bring in a collection of advertisement posters one of which was of Bird's Custards they may be worth a few bob in fact it could be thousands of pounds so we will have to take it away and evaluate it.

"We saw a lot of porcelain and quite a bit of jewellery.

"We tend to see jewellery quite often because people ask for it to be valued while they're bringing another item along."

The Forest Tapestry will be on display at Wightwick Manor until October 31 and is currently on loan from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

After then it will be shipped off to Japan for an exhibition. Knowles is due to return to Wightwick Manor in November.