Art historian joins BBC antiques show in Brighton

Art historian joins BBC antiques show in Brighton

University of Sussex art history research student Alexandra Loske has graduated from behind-the-scenes advisor to on-screen expert with an appearance on BBC show The Antiques Road Trip.

The show, a spin-off from the perennially popular Antiques Roadshow, has begun its second series, with Alexandra appearing in the Brighton episode, where she shares her insights into rare and beautiful objects in Brighton’s Royal Pavilion.

In Antiques Road Trip, antiques experts set off on a road trip around the UK searching for treasures and competing to make the most money at auction, with their profits going to charity.

Alexandra, who is studying for a doctorate in Art History, has been based at Brighton Pavilion, studying original documents and accounts, for more than two years, and has worked as a Pavilion guide for 18 months, during which time she has been called on to support the filming of an introductory scene for the Antiques Roadshow when it came to Brighton last year.

Alexandra is researching the interior décor of the Pavilion during the Regency period, when it was given its iconic makeover by the Prince Regent, later George IV.

Her studies are supported by a collaborative doctorate fund provided by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The aim of the funding is to match talented scholars with top arts and heritage institutions so that they can learn from each other.

Now Alexandra will appear in front of the cameras for the spin-off show, talking to presenter and historian David Harper about some of the exhibits in the Pavilion, chosen by Alexandra. Her items include a cabinet sold off during Queen Victoria’s reign and later turned into a TV cabinet before being discovered at an auction, and an exotically decorated inkstand that once belonged to George IV.

Alexandra says: "I had a wonderful time. I came up with a few objects that I could talk about. They had to have a connection with George IV, who built the Pavilion.

"The AHRC scholarship has allowed me not only to further my studies but to gain experience in all aspects of art history, including hands-on access to rarely-seen collections and the opportunity to work with the media. It’s been a fascinating and very useful experience."