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When you think of Bargain Hunt’s most valuable item of all time, a bright yellow ‘teapot’ isn’t the image that immediately comes to mind.
However, the illustrious title of most prized possession in the exhibition goes to an 18th century Chinese “teapot”, which was almost discarded during a general cleaning.
Calling the item “the most important item ever sold”, Bargain Hunt expert Charles Hanson managed to hit the jackpot for a whopping £390,000 at auction.
The “rare Chinese wine jug” had been collecting dust in a Derbyshire attic for 50 years before being unveiled at the exhibition.
The surprising find made its way to the sales floor, as a curious customer wanted to make sure the porcelain piece was worth something before donating it to a charity shop.
The most valuable item ever revealed by Bargain Hunt – and how this simple-looking item almost ended up in a charity shop – this Chinese teapot sold for £390k at auction.
Bargain Hunt expert Charles Hanson (pictured) described the item, which had been collecting dust in a loft for 50 years, as “the most important item” he had ever sold.
The valuable antique inherited from World War II soldier Ronald Wadsworth, who owned the Star of Burma medal, left experts amazed.
Auctioneer Charles Hanson, who described it as the “definitive Bargain Hunt find”, told host Natasha Raskin Sharp in the 2023 repeat episode that the ewer was “only one of three known”.
The other two “very sacred, very important and very rare” ceremonial jars are currently located in two museums located in Beijing and Taiwan.
According to Hanson, the 18th century ceremonial teapot would have been used to retain water at the court of the Chinese Emperor Qianlong.
He added: “Emperor Qianlong, who was the great emperor of the arts, wanted his Beijing enamellist to do the best.” And the quality is simply out of this world.
‘This is one of only three known, one is in a museum in Taiwan, one in the museum in Beijing, China, and one in humble Burton-Upon-Trent, voila! Incredibly we have another one.”
Chatting with presenter Natasha Raskin Sharp, Charles explained that the ceremonial object would have previously been used in the court of Chinese Emperor Qianlong in the 18th century.
“It is probably what Fabergé is to the Russians and what imperial enamel is to Chinese billionaires and this, to me, is a must-have item for any important Chinese connoisseur wishing to purchase the best of the Qianlong Emperor’s treasures.
“For me, this object, in its historic location, is the most important object I have ever sold.”
It was initially believed to be worth £150, but the owner’s grandfather before the auction purchased the precious item in the 1940s.
The construction worker commented on how he felt about the illustrious find going up for auction at the bbc in 2020.
‘I’m excited, this will change some things for all of us.
“I sat and watched the auction live at home with my brother and family, it was tense, I got a few cans of Guinness beforehand.
“Tonight we’ll go have a drink and toast grandpa.”
Initially believed to be worth £150, the bright yellow teapot was purchased by Second World War serviceman Ronald Wadsworth.
Charles revealed that the ewer was just one of three that existed worldwide, saying: “It’s probably what Fabergé is to the Russians and what imperial enamel is to Chinese billionaires.”