Mystery solved, professed a grateful Diane Abbot after an Antiques Roadshow expert revealed that the 'strange' object she had taken along was an abacus.
The rustic framework and collection of counters were identified as being a vintage counting frame of European origin, which had, seen little or no use.
As for value, the expert believed it could be worth at least four figures, and put an insurance estimate upon it of £11.25.
She also voiced a note of caution, by stating that due to the nature of the object unlike other antiques, its depreciable amount may affect its residual value,so its current value could dramatically tumble.So now might be the opportune time to take it to market.
"I was given it as a gift and up till now,I had absolutely no idea as to what it was, I believed it was a set of vegetarian kebab holders. That's why I kept it in my kitchen.
So,knowing exactly what it is, outweighs the monetary value and I won't be selling it!
I also learned that a bean counter has nothing to do with a salad bar.
