14 DAY TRIAL // A couple have used a wooden ornament as a doorstop for 40 years without knowing that the piece was actually a valuable 18th century Chinese relic worth no less than £250,000 ($420,220 or €303,335).
The nine-inch (22.9-cm) tall item is a beautifully carved pot that dates back 300 years to the reign of Chinese emperor Quinlong and was used to hold calligraphers’ brushes.
According to Daily Mail, the unnamed couple, from Hertfordshire, England, inherited the ornament and had no idea it was a piece of Chinese art. They only found out that the ornament they used to prop open their living room door was a Chinese antique when they invited an auctioneer to their home to look at some other items.
When expert Richard Harrison saw the brush pot next to the door, he immediately recognized it as a piece of art from the Quinlong era.
“It was on the floor in the living room being used to keep the door open […] As soon as we were able to share the details of this brush pot with our network in China, it became clear that interest in this piece was going to be phenomenal,” the expert said.
Harrison explained that the vase is a rare example of Zitan artwork and is carved from a single piece of wood. He thinks that many collectors would be interested in the Chinese masterpiece and would be willing to offer high amounts to put their hands on it.
“The carving is three dimensional almost, and shows figures of little boys doing things like setting off fire crackers. It is in superb condition, which is remarkable given what it was being used for,” he added.