He said it was “one of the hardest things” he's ever had to talk about on the show
Antiques Roadshow is a staple of British television, but an episode last month left viewers shocked when expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan refused to value an item because of its troubling history.
The guest who brought the item had no idea what it was, but Ronnie confirmed that it originated from the transatlantic slave trade.
“The object is a compact disc and is a nod to the reputation of the profession of African slave traders in Bonnyport, West Africa in the 18th century,” showrunner Fiona Bruce says in a voiceover explaining its history.
Ronnie added: “I want to make it absolutely clear that I, we and Antiques Roadshow are completely and unequivocally opposed to the ivory trade.
“But this ivory bracelet here is not about the trade in ivory, it’s about the trade in human life, and that’s probably one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to talk about.
“But we have to talk about it,” he added.
The guest who brought the bracelet explained that she had it after a member of a family she worked for died years ago.
“One of the members passed away and she was selling her home,” she said. “I bought it for £3 at a house auction 36 years ago.”
She admitted she had “no idea what it was” but was intrigued by its “interesting” appearance.
Ronnie went on to explain that the “beautiful calligraphy” on the bracelet, the name of Grandi Prince Jamie, could very well be an African himself, a “despicable man” who was involved in human trafficking.
He noticed the words “honest man” written on the object and added: “I'd like to meet him and tell him how honest I think he is.”
“My great-grandmother was a slave who returned from Nova Scotia, Canada, and then back to Sierra Leone and Freetown,” Ronnie continued.
“I actually think it's my cultural responsibility, our cultural responsibility, to talk about things like this.”
The antiques expert went on to explain why he did not want to assess the bracelet's value.
“I just don't want to cherish it,” he said.
“I don’t want to put a price on such a bad business. But the value is in the lessons it can teach people.
“The value is in studying the problem and what we can find.
“I just love you for bringing it in and thank you so much for making me so sad.”
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