It is therefore no surprise that she immediately recognised a fireback as coming from the 17th century when it went up for sale at local Simon Dreu auction.
After some consultation with Jersey Heritage curator, Chris Addy, Michelle successfully bid on the item.
Pictured: Michelle found the 17th century fireback at a local auction.
The rectangular fireback is dated 1667, decorated with overlapping laurel leaves. There is also the patten of an English royal crown tied with a ribbon and twin letter Cs, one of which is backwards.
Michelle explained that the two letter Cs most likely represent King Charles II, which is supported by the fact that the artefact is dated at end of the Second Anglo-Dutch War.
The fireback is now available to view at Hamptonne house.
Pictured: Michelle is a regular performer of living history at Elizabeth Castle.
Michelle said that it was a “great struggle” to get the artefact to Hamptonne as it is “an incredibly heavy piece”, but that it is worth it as a “piece of history has been saved!”
She added: “There are many copies of firebacks but, upon close inspection, we believe this is the real thing.
“The thought that we have found and saved something from 355 years ago fills me with awe. I look at it and wonder who sat at the fireplace all those years ago, and what stories were told there.”
Michelle says that she thinks that King Charles would be “quite thrilled” that the item had been saved.