🖊️ 10—Art Legends

TREASURES

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✩ Legendary Treasures ✩

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Art, 10 Finds, $2 Billion+

Hidden Treasures Found in Everyday Places

Some of the most astonishing treasures aren’t buried underground—they’re 'hidden' in plain sight. News reports have revealed remarkable art discoveries in ordinary settings, from attics to estate sales. By exploring the map, you can trace how different treasure eras, styles, and locations have shaped these unexpected finds.

A few legendary examples from the list include:

$20 Million for a painting found hanging over a stove
$80 Million for a vase discovered in an attic
$170 Million for a masterpiece found under a mattress

Overlooked for years, these surprising discoveries reveal how valuable treasures can be—even when hiding in plain sight. Explore the full list below the ad ☟

Vintage treasure-hunt advertising in retro cityscape.

10—Legendary Finds:

1. Lost & Found—$1 Billion Painting of Mona Lisa Discovered in Box

📽️ 📅 2024 Report: In 1911, a handyman in Paris stole Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa from a famed museum and hid it for two years before it was recovered in a box in his apartment. Originally estimated to be worth millions, the painting is now believed to exceed $1 billion in value. Owned by the people of France, it remains a priceless treasure. Full story in a two-minute video.

Video: 🔗 Bloomberg / YouTube

2. Masterpiece Marvel—$450 Million for $10K Estate Sale Painting

📰 📽️ 📅 2018 Report: In Louisiana, USA, a painting bought at a New Orleans estate sale in 2005 for less than $10,000 was auctioned in New York for $450.3 million. The painting, Leonardo da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi,' is immensely rare and valuable.

Story, images, and video: 🔗 The Wall Street Journal

3. TV Treasure—£200 Million ($264 Million) Potential for Portrait Hung Above Television in Home

📰 📅 2024 Report: In the UK, a man believes he may have a portrait of William Shakespeare—possibly the only one painted during his lifetime. It was purchased in the 1960s from an estate in Oxfordshire and hung above a television for decades. If authenticated, some believe it could be worth £200 million ($264 million), making it an invaluable find.

Story and images: 🔗 Daily Mail

4. Caravaggio Canvas—$170 Million for Painting Found Under Mattress in Attic

📰 📅 2019 Report: A previously unknown Caravaggio painting, valued at up to $170 million, was discovered beneath an old mattress in an attic in Toulouse, France. The artwork, believed to be 'Judith and Holofernes,' was swiftly purchased by an international collector before it could be auctioned. Identified as a potential national treasure, this rare find underscores the accidental discovery of priceless treasures in unexpected locations.

Story and image: 🔗 The Guardian

5. Botticelli Bombshell—$109 Million for 'Lost' 15th-Century Painting Found in Italian Home

📰 📅 2023 Report: In Italy, a 'lost' Botticelli painting, valued at $109 million, was discovered in a family home. Entrusted to the family in 1982 for safekeeping after an earthquake, this rare artwork was forgotten by authorities and listed as missing. It's a priceless 15th-century painting, rarely seen by the public.

Story and images: 🔗 CNN

6. Imperial Find—$83 Million for Vase Discovered in Attic

📽️ 📅 2010 Report: In London, UK, a Qing Dynasty vase from the 1740s—found in an attic—set a record by selling for $83 million after fees. Its rarity and Imperial Chinese origin make it an invaluable historical artifact. Full story in a two-minute video.

Video: 🔗 ABC News Australia / YouTube

7. Masterpiece Marvel—$50 Million for $30 Sketch Found at U.S. Estate Sale

📰 📅 2021 Report: In 2016, a simple sketch purchased for just $30 at an estate sale in Massachusetts, USA, was identified in 2021 as a potential masterpiece by Albrecht Dürer, a renowned German Renaissance artist. Now estimated to be worth up to $50 million USD, the drawing—titled 'The Virgin and Child With a Flower on a Grassy Bank'—is considered a rare preparatory work by the artist. This exceptional discovery underscores the unpredictable value of art and its universal appeal.

Story and images: 🔗 Smithsonian Magazine

8. Pollock Puzzle—$50 Million Potential for Painting Pulled from U.S. Yard Sale

📰 📅 2016 Report: In San Bernardino, California, USA, a retired truck driver bought a painting from a thrift store for $5 as a gag gift. When her friend couldn't fit it through the door, she tried selling it at a yard sale, where a teacher suggested it might be a Jackson Pollock. Told it could be worth up to $50 million, experts disputed its authenticity, but forensic analysis found matching fingerprints. She rejected offers of $2 million and, according to a documentary, also turned down $9 million.

Story and images: 🔗 CBS News

9. Van Gogh Marvel—$40 Million Potential for 'Priceless' Masterpiece Found in Norwegian Attic

📽️ 📅 2013 Report: A valuable treasure emerged from a Norwegian attic—Van Gogh's priceless 'Sunset at Montmajour.' Comparable to works auctioned for $40 million, this masterpiece from his Arles period represented a significant discovery. Deemed priceless, it further enriched Van Gogh's enduring legacy. Full story in a two-minute video.

Video: 🔗 CNN / YouTube

10. Kitchen Treasure—€24M ($27 Million) for Renaissance Masterpiece Found in Plain Sight

📽️ 📅 2019 Report: A 13th-century Renaissance painting by Cimabue, deemed priceless, was discovered in a French kitchen. It fetched €24 million (nearly $27 million at that time) at auction. Initially overlooked and inherited, its rarity and value shocked the world. Full story in a one-minute video.

Video: 🔗 FRANCE 24 English / YouTube

These inspiring discoveries reveal the untapped potential of everyday spaces as hidden treasure troves. Explore the top 40 finds below the ad ☟

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