Photos: Laguna Beach Treasures Appraised by Bonhams Auction House

At the 's appraisal event on Tuesday, Bonhams auction house appraiser Paul Fisher opened up a consigner's "treasure chest" and discovered vellum documents written from the 17th through 19th centuries.

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"The family's relative had these old documents," said Fisher, "a trunk full of them. There is one ... and I haven't really translated it yet ... but it is supposedly a certificate of knighthood granted by King William IV of the United Kingdom."

Fisher and several of his fellow Bonhams associates were on hand to evaluate antiques and art brought in by local residents. Attendees were charged $10 per item and were given a verbal appraisal. The Laguna Art Museum received all funds generated by appraisal fees.

Some attendees were just curious to find if items passed down through the family had any value. Others were hoping to consign pieces to be sold at a future auction.

Tom Bodamer brought in two antique Japanese woodblock prints by Toyokuni and Hiroshige to be examined by Bonhams Asian Art Specialist Ling Shang. Morisa Rosenberg, Bonhams Director of Works on Paper, looked at etchings brought in by Lance Vallery and Trudie Fox.

Leon and Margo Smith were told by Bonhams Junior Specialist Alexis Yubata that their lithograph created by Simbari was worth about $3,500. Bonhams 10th Century Decorative Arts Specialist Angela Past told Lynne Biscieglia that her 1970s limited edition artglass bottle was worth around $1,000.

Bonhams Jewelry Specialist Milena Denis said, "Today I've seen beautiful retro watches, beadwork and filigree. The [hot items] right now are diamonds, gemstones, platinum and signed pieces. Anything that has hallmarks ... or signed pieces such as Van Cleef and Arpels, Tiffany, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin and Bulgari. Watches are hot, too."

Paul Fisher shared that one of the most unusual items he had seen Tuesday was a Victorian inkwell made from a horse hoof mounted with sterling silver.

"A captain or admiral in the Royal Navy had a favorite horse," said Fisher.

The horse died.

"The officer's wife had an inkwell made from the horse's hoof. She had the lid engraved with the man's name. The inkwell is just a really cool curiosity from a bygone day."