Antiques Roadshow guest ‘doesn’t believe’ expert's huge seven-figure evaluation
An Antiques Roadshow USA guest was left stunned after hearing the incredible expert valuation of a set of items she brought to be looked at.
The lucky fan of the hit series brought her collection of Qianlong Jade to be assessed by expert James Callahan and was absolutely amazed at the response she got. Showing off a small bowl, a jug, a dragon-like creature as well as a larger bowl all crafted from pale green jade in China the woman gave the backstory to how she came to own the four items.
She said: "My father was in China in the late 30s and during the 40s with the army and he was a liaison of some sort." She then discussed how her dad hailed from Kentucky and "knew Chinese" and that he was friends with a man she knew of as "Mr Liang at number 10 Jade Street."
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The guest was amazed at the estimated valueShe recalled: "Mr Liang would call my father and say 'I think I have some pieces you'll wanna look at'," James then suggested that Mr Liang must have liked her father "very much" based on the "very, very fine quality" of the items in her possession. When asked by James if she could guess the value of the items the guests said she thought "the dragon bowl" could be "worth a lot of money."
She then admitted having "no idea" what the other items were worth. James then discussed some significant details of the items which dated back to 1735 and 1796. He explained that the dragon was a "Bixie" and created to ward off evil. Then James revealed that the large bowl had only been made in 62-year cycles and that the bottom was engraved with "By imperial order," meaning it was made "specifically for the emperor himself".
The simple items were worth a fortuneAs James moved on to pricing the products he started with the small bowl placing it's value between "$30,000 (£23,603.70) to $50,000 (£39,339.50)" leaving the woman gobsmacked. He continued: "A conservative estimate on this vase here would be $80,000 (£62,943.20) to $120,000 (£94,414.80)."
James then moved on to the Bixie - and priced it at between $200,000 (£157,358)) to $300,000 (£236,037), leaving the guest shocked as she exclaimed: "I can't believe you!" But the best was yet to come as James priced the final item at a jaw-dropping $400,000 (£314,716) to $600,000 (£472074). The valuations meant she could make a profit of $1,070,000 (£841,865.30) if she sold the heirlooms.
James also revealed that the "incredible collection" probably cost her father as little as $100 when he bought the pieces in the early 1900's.
Antiques Roadshow US airs on PBS.
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