The BBC's art detective series "Fake or Fortune?" recently explored the authenticity of an exquisite lily blossom crafted from gold and enamel. Presenters Philip Mould and Fiona Bruce dedicated an episode to proving the piece was the work of Russian jewellery master Peter Carl Fabergé. Their investigation involved X-rays, chemical analysis, and extensive archival research, including uncovering a photograph of the lily in its rock crystal vase, displayed in the collection of a noted Fabergé collector.
Despite compelling evidence, the piece faced rejection from Bonhams auction house, which had previously dismissed it. This left the owner, Rachael Randles, with a potentially significant financial disparity: a genuine Fabergé lily could be worth approximately £300,000, while an imitation might fetch only £4,000. Randles inherited the lily from her grandmother, Mary Smith.
Randles' grandfather, Austin Smith, a solicitor from Southport, had connections to exiled European royal families. He provided legal counsel to King Peter II of Yugoslavia and Queen Mother Helen of Romania. Queen Mother Helen, a Fabergé connoisseur, bequeathed the lily to Mary Smith in her will. Intriguingly, Queen Mother Helen was also first cousin to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
During the archival search, Fiona Bruce discovered a telegram sent to Mary Smith in March 1987, following Austin Smith's death. The telegram offered "heartfelt sympathy to you and your family on your grievous loss" and was signed "Elizabeth R.", indicating a direct message from the late Queen Elizabeth II to Mary Smith. This connection suggests a personal link between the Smith family, who owned the lily, and the British Royal Family.
The episode of "Fake or Fortune?" concluded with the lily's authenticity uncertified by the auction house, despite the efforts of Mould and Bruce. The program also featured a segment on "The Chase Around The World" on ITV1, a quiz show where pairs race to a destination while answering trivia questions.