Markets in Everything: Attic Junk Worth $1m
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A woman who inherited some Chinese carved jade from her father has scored the first $1 million appraisal from experts on the U.S. television program "Antiques Roadshow," the producers said on Monday. In a record for the show, four pieces of Chinese carved jade and celadon from the Chien Lung Dynasty (1736-1795), including a large bowl crafted for the Emperor, were given a conservative auction estimate of up to $1.07 million.
"For 13 years, we've been hoping to feature a million-dollar appraisal on 'Antiques Roadshow;' it's been our 'Great White Whale,'" executive producer Marsha Bemko said. "We're thrilled that, despite this year's slow economy, 'Roadshow' finally captured this elusive trophy," she said in a statement released by Boston-based production company WGBH, which licensed the format from the British show of the same name produced by the BBC.
On both shows, members of the public bring in items to be appraised by professionals in the hope of discovering that junk from the attic is actually a valuable treasure.
7 Comments:
I wonder if China will have something to say about that jade?
They've made noises before regarding these relics...
Well with inflation something worth $1 million 13 years ago is worth $1,367,000 today, so they can keep looking.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I found a squirrel in my attic.
China probably won't say anything but the buyer will probably be Chinese (return it to a state museum). The Russians were doing the same thing until they had a crash crunch...Chinese didn't have it quite so bad.
The Chinese would say something if it was in a museum...then they could exert some real pressure.
I wonder if China will have something to say about that jade?
I'd ask the buyer if they knew anything about the Three Gorges Dam if they raised any suspicion on my end. They'll go to the ends of the earth to reclaim artifacts, but if it's in the way of a public work, they'll let it be obliterated.
If so, I'd require them to sign some statement stating that they do not represent or are acting for the direct or indirect benefit of the Chinese government. If they break the agreement, they forfeit ownership and they are responsible for its return to me.
If I really wanted to turn the screws on them, I'd add something else as well: The buyer acknowledges that they are fully aware of the events of June 1989 in Tiananmen Square, including events not covered or approved by PRC approved media outlets. Further, that they make such acknowledgment in their home country to the PRC's state media along with an English translation of the acknowledgment.
If it's not legally possible to add that there is the other option:
That or I could certainly tack on a very huge shipping fee. If the ultimate destination is the PRC (or lands under the sovereign control of them), I would want to be absolutely sure that it arrived there.
Besides, I don't want to ruin any chances of a government clearance by having such dealings with a foreign government.
> I found a squirrel in my attic.
Yes, but we were talking about household attics, not your cranium....
:oD
Post a Comment
<< Home