TV programmes, such as Antique Roadshow, have made people question the value of their own knick-knacks.
James Constantinou, owner of leading pawnbroker chain Prestige pawn, has noticed a stark increase in customers bringing in the more unusual items they have lying around their house or garden.
The TV star, who shot to fame on Channel 4’s Posh Pawn, revealed: “We are currently inundated with statues, which is something we have not experienced before.
“One customer brought in a large marble head statue designed by a famous female sculptors. Brit
“An entire team and crane were needed to help move the enormous statue to our storage facility from their back garden. It weighed a couple of tonnes.
“We valued the statue at £150,000. The immediate cash handover helped the client expand their restaurant business into a new area of London.
“It was definitely one of the larger antiques we have ever received, and more valuable than originally imagined.”
A wide array of items has been brought in, including gold, jewellery, clocks, books, vases, crockery, lamps, furniture and paintings.
Prestige Pawn offers 7 month loans which can be redeemed at any time or potentially renewed for another 7 months at the end of the initial contract.
James continued: “At Prestige Pawn we have an extremely high redemption rate compared to the industry average, which means that the majority of our clients do come back and pay their loans to collect their items.
“Most use our services to get a quick injection of cash, such as the client who recently brought in 6 bronze statues by Lorenzo Quinn.
“Each statue ranged from £3000-£7000, which the customer was able to invest. He intends to own his assets again in the future, when money returns.
“However, not all of our customers are motivated by finances.
“One lady owned several jade statues from the 1900s which she had purchased at Christie’s.
“She is going to be away from London for an extended period of time and was worried about the safety of her statues, due to the number of break-ins in the city.
“She loaned her statues to ensure that they would be stored safely. The amount she will pay in interest will almost equate to the cost of a storage unit.”
A number of high-network individuals are bringing in antiques that they inherited or purchased a long time ago, previously unaware of the true value.
Constantinou added: “We have received an influx of Picasso paintings, Banksy artworks and Damien Hirst pieces, which are all high in value.
“Others are bringing in paintings by lesser known artists which have also turned out to be valuable antiques.
“It is definitely always a good idea to check the value of antiques. You never know if you are sitting on a small fortune!
“We are on the cusp of financial downturn, where affluent individuals are the one starting to feel the tightening of their wallets.
‘Pawning their assets can get them the necessary loan to make their next business move, without having to get one from the bank, potentially ruining their credit score.
“It is a simple and smart business move, which comes from discovering the value of various items around the house or garden.”
Prestige Pawn specialises in luxury items and its sales are a barometer of fashion and economic trends. The company values anything from jewellery and accessories to helicopters, Lamborghinis and secret letters from royals and rock stars.
Plans are advancing to revive the TV show which ran for seven series, showcasing a revolutionary take on high-end pawnbroking and the astonishing items that came into his stores.