🖊️ 8—Pottery Legends

TREASURES

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✩ Legendary Treasures ✩

█ A-Z // Fortunes Found 🔗 - [ i ]

Ceramics, 8 Finds, $140 Million+

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 uncovered remarkable ceramic treasures in ordinary settings, from attics to drawers. By exploring the map, you can trace how different treasure eras, styles, and locations shaped these unexpected finds.

A few legendary examples from the list include:

$1 Million for a plate discovered in a drawer
$4 Million for cup found in a cabinet
$19 Million for a vase uncovered in an attic

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.

8—Legendary Finds:

1. Vase Victory—£43 Million ($69 Million) for 1740s Chinese Treasure Found on Shelf in Home

📽️ 📅 2010 Report: In London, UK, a Chinese vase from the 1740s—unexpectedly discovered by a woman and her son on a bookcase during a house clearance at a deceased relative’s home—sold for an astonishing £43 million at auction, approximately $69 million based on exchange rates at the time. Full story in a 4-minute video.

Video: 🔗 Channel 4 News / YouTube

2. Ming Marvel—$20 Million for Rare Jar Used as Umbrella Stand

📽️ 📅 2016 Report: A Ming Dynasty dragon jar—once casually used as an umbrella stand—sold for $20.4 million at auction. Discovered in a private home, specialists identified it as a rare and valuable piece of Chinese porcelain. Full story in a three-minute video.

Video: 🔗 Christie's / YouTube

3. Shoebox Surprise—$19 Million for Rare Vase Discovered in Attic

📰 📅 2018 Report: In France, a rare Qing dynasty vase was discovered in a family’s attic—hidden in a shoebox and inherited unnoticed for decades. Initially estimated at €500,000 to €700,000, it fetched a stunning €16.2 million ($19 million) at auction in Paris, far exceeding expectations. This vase, the only known example of its kind, dates back to the 18th century during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, making it exceptionally rare.

Story and images: 🔗 CNN Style

4. Antique Elegance—£14.7 Million ($18.7 Million) for Rare Vases Found on Mantle

📰 📽️ 📅 2017 Report: In the UK, a pair of overlooked 18th-century Qianlong vases on a mantelpiece fetched an astonishing £14.7 million ($18.7 million in 2023 rates). Inherited and undervalued, these rare vases hold significant historical and artistic value.

Story, video, and images: 🔗 Christie's

5. Ceramic Cache—$9 Million for Vase Found in Pet-Filled Home

📰 📅 2020 Report: A Qianlong dynasty vase (1735–1799)—a true treasure—was discovered in a pet-filled home in Central Europe and sold for over $9 million at auction. This rare vase, found in an open cupboard, is distinguished by its intricate design and technical mastery. Remarkably, it had previously been sold for just £44 (equivalent to around $1,500 in 2024, adjusted for inflation). The vase’s survival in such a bustling household adds to the extraordinary tale of this hidden treasure.

Story and images: 🔗 Smithsonian Magazine

6. Ming Marvel—£3.17M ($4.1 Million) for Rare 1425 Cup Found in UK University Cabinet

📰 📽️ 📅 2016 Report: A 15th-century Ming dynasty cup, originally donated to Staffordshire University in the UK during WWII, sold at auction in Hong Kong for £3.17 million (approx. $4.1 million USD). Once stored in an unlocked, dusty cabinet and forgotten for decades, the priceless treasure was rediscovered and revalued. Believed to have been made for an emperor, it is considered extremely rare.

Story, video, and images: 🔗 BBC

7. Yard Sale Treasure—$2.2 Million for $3 Chinese Bowl Found in U.S.

📽️ 📅 2013 Report: In New York, USA, a 1,000-year-old Chinese treasure bowl purchased for $3 at a yard sale was later appraised and auctioned for $2.2 million. Believed to date to the Northern Song Dynasty, the rare piece sat unnoticed on a mantle for five years. Considered priceless due to its age and rarity. Full story in a two-minute video.

Video: 🔗 ABC News / YouTube

8. Ceramic Treasure—£1.2 Million ($1.7 Million) for Rare Plate Discovered in Drawer

📰 📽️ 📅 2021 Report: A priceless 16th-century Italian maiolica plate crafted by Nicola da Urbino was discovered in a drawer and sold for a record £1,236,000 ($1,721,000) at an auction in the United Kingdom. This rare dish, depicting Samson and Delilah, was initially estimated at £80,000-£120,000. The find, believed to have been made between 1520-1523, is celebrated for its rarity and historical value, attracting global attention.

Story, video, and images: 🔗 People

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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