“Cash for Rare Items” today: Crushing lettuce heads sparks dealer deals

In this edition of “Cash for Rares”, there are once again many rare items with interesting origin stories.

BILD presents highlights of today’s episode below and also shows which rare items will be up for auction on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

This is the highlight of today’s episode

Sports and history student Kevin Weiß, originally from Münster, discovered an extraordinary ceramic figurine in his grandparents’ cupboard. The work, either titled “Bust with a Head of Lettuce” or “Daphne,” features a confident young woman carrying some kind of potted plant high around her neck. A medallion with Athena and a beautiful braid on the back adorn the unusual object, which even has hidden eyes on the back of the head.

Art expert Dr. Friederike Werner (63) identified the statue as a design by the important surrealist artist Bele Bachem (†2005). It was produced in 1976 by the renowned Karlsruhe majolica producer, but as part of a relatively high edition of 2,500 pieces, individual numbers are not included. The statue is in perfect condition.

Expert Dr. Friederike Werner looks at that particular statue

Photo: ZDF

Kevin wants 200 euros. Friederike Werner confirmed these expectations and estimated the value of the artwork at 200 to 250 euros. In the dealer’s room, the “head of lettuce” elicited amazement, but also enthusiasm. Dealer Julian Schmitz-Avila (39) commented dryly: “Either it interests you or it doesn’t.”

Fabian Kahl (34) started with 150 euros, but a bidding war quickly developed. Julian Schmitz-Avila, Benjamin Leo Leo (52) and Fabian Kahl raise the price: Fabian is eliminated at 300 euros, Leo Leo finally wins the bid for 330 euros and is happy with his second “Bele Bachem”. Salesman Kevin was overjoyed: “I’m happy to get the money and it’s more than the experts expected.”

All other rare items from November 19, 2025

Here’s a rundown of the other rarities from today November 19, 2025 and what their ratings are Expert team from “Cash for rare items“this is:

Fruit tableware: Kira and Manuel from Paderborn brought silver plated fruit cutlery from the late Art Nouveau/early Art Deco period, which Kira’s mother received as a gift from the Prince of Stolberg. It was kept in a cupboard for 30 years and the manufacturer is unknown. Heide Rezepa-Zabel (60) estimated the value at 50 to 80 euros.
Ceramic advertising plates from Michelin: Inge Schneider of Alsenz is selling a ceramic plaque from Karlsruhe’s Majolika Factory from 1980, showing a motorbike race from Paris to Vienna from 1902 and awarded to a long-time Michelin employee. Detlev Kümmel (57) estimates its value at 150 to 200 euros.
Jewelry ensembles with emeralds: Dietzenbach’s friends Uli and Klaus brought a three-piece set (ring, bracelet, clip pendant) circa 1970 that Ulli’s mother-in-law inherited. It is made of 750 white gold with emeralds from Zambia and exquisite diamonds. Proud estimated value: 3,200 to 3,400 euros!
Two historic quartet games: Hannelore and Uwe Adams of Leer are selling two plays from Hannelore’s parents’ house that are more than 100 years old: “Wilhelm Busch” (from 1910) and “Aus deutsche Gauen” (between 1910 and 1914). The game is finished, but shows signs of wear and tear from age. The estimated value is between 60 and 80 euros for both games.