Antiques Roadshow' vase rejected and branded 'clever fake' by expert sells for millions

 A rare 16-inch porcelain vase from the Qing dynasty, originally dismissed as a "very clever reproduction" on the BBC's Going for a Song in the 1970s, has sold for an astounding £53 million

Remarkable Journey

                                                              Watchmore
The vase was initially valued at just £800 by experts and stored in an attic for four decades by its British owners
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. After the owners passed away, their relatives discovered the vase while clearing out the family home. When taken to Bainbridges Auction House, experts at the Arts Club of London authenticated it as an original piece crafted around 1740 for Emperor Qianlong.

Record-Breaking Sale

The vase's provenance is believed to be dramatic, potentially looted from the Summer Palace in Peking during the Second Opium War
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. At auction, bidding quickly escalated, with the final price reaching £43 million, and total sale price (including commission and VAT) hitting £53,105,000
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. The family was reportedly overwhelmed, stepping out of the auction room in disbelief at their unexpected windfall.

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