Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest stunned after hearing the value of her snuff bottle: ‘You’re kidding…’ (marketrealist.com)
Lucky Finds on Antiques Roadshow: From Snuff Bottles to ‘Ugly’ Vases
Sometimes everyday items hold hidden treasures, a fact frequently proven on the popular show Antiques Roadshow. Recently, a guest brought in a small, unassuming bottle, only to discover its rich history and surprising value.
Expert Richard Cervantes identified the bottle as an 18th-century Chinese snuff bottle. During the Qing Dynasty, smoking was outlawed, but the emperor allowed tobacco use in snuff form, leading to a boom in snuff bottle production.
This particular bottle showcased a unique two-step creation process: the plain white jade bottle originated in China, but its intricate embellishments, depicting a child carrying lucky Lingzhi fungus in a Japanese countryside scene, were later added in Japan. The decoration incorporated various materials including soapstone, hard stone, lapis lazuli, lacquer, and seed pearls.
The guest, unaware of the bottle’s origins beyond her great aunt’s purchase during travels in the Far East, was stunned by the appraisal. In 2016, when the segment was filmed, Cervantes estimated a conservative value of $4,000 to $6,000.
This wasn’t the only surprising find on the show. In another episode, a guest brought in a vase she affectionately dubbed “the ugly thing.”
Purchased 15 years prior for $580, the vase’s unusual design intrigued her. Expert Suzzane Perrault identified the piece as a Jean Cocteau Ceramic Sculpture, a work incorporating animal, bird, and female figural elements.
The guest was astonished when Perrault appraised the “ugly vase” at a staggering $10,000 to $15,000.