Bargain Hunt star reveals record breaking seven-figure sale leaving BBC experts speechless
A Bargain Hunt expert was stunned after finding the rare antique which sold for a record breaking seven figures
Charles Hanson was left stunned when a call to a client's home turned into one of the biggest discoveries of his career. The BBC Bargain Hunt expert explained that he had been invited to look over a collection of belongings when he came across what initially appeared to be just another household ornament.
To his amazement, the family had been letting their children play ball games around the item, unaware of its importance and value. Speaking exclusively to the Express, Charles revealed that the object in question was a porcelain vase that had been propping open a door for more than 30 years, later valued at an eye-watering £1million.
Curious about how such a valuable piece had ended up being used as a doorstop, Charles questioned the family about its history. They explained it had been inherited back in 1980 from their late great aunt and since then it had simply blended into the background of their home until now.
After taking it away for further research they soon identified the vase as a Chinese imperial vase made for the Emperor Qianlong in the mid-18th century, the Express reports.
Initially the piece was given an estimated price of £20,000 to £40,000 but BBC expert Charles suggested it could fetch as much as £1m at auction due to the huge interest in it from the Chinese market.
Speaking about the rare find, Charles said: "I think it was when I found a vase. I went to go and see a client in Birmingham and they showed me a vase that belonged to their aunt. They used it as a door stop. It was in blue and white.
"The cobalt blue was thickly applied and the vase wasn't marked but I sensed it was 18th century. I sensed it was imperial."
When the vase was taken to auction it ended up selling for a massive amount - six figures.
"[We found] it was made in an imperial Chinese household, found in Birmingham and that vase in good condition sold for £800,000," the BBC expert added.
Latest BBC updates
Meanwhile, Charles is currently fronting his new antique show Secret Life of the Auction House.
The show gives viewers the chance to look at Hanson auctioneers' remarkably rare finds, from royal possessions once owned by a former Queen to an Asian treasure found in Central London that "completely blew the auction apart."
The series also highlights more heartfelt moments, including selling the contents of a clients beloved sweet shop after it closed down.
Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.