Sometimes, family heirlooms hold secrets far beyond their sentimental value.

That was exactly the case for one Antiques Roadshow guest, who had long believed she knew the worth of her inherited treasures—until an expert appraisal turned everything upside down.

A Visit to the North Carolina Museum of Art

On a recent episode of the US version of Antiques Roadshow, which airs on PBS, a woman arrived at the North Carolina Museum of Art carrying two jade tablets and a jade seal passed down through generations.

These exquisite artifacts had once belonged to her great-great-grandmother and were later inherited by her mother in 1929.

However, the guest had always been curious about their true worth—especially after receiving an appraisal in 2007 that seemed questionable.

Examining the Jade Artifacts

Expert Robert Warehouse took a close look at the heirlooms and immediately identified them as mottled green jade.

The two tablets, he explained, were likely pages from an ancient jade book, intricately inscribed with official script.

Meanwhile, the seal featured a classic double dragon motif—often associated with imperial authority.

As Robert delved deeper into the details, he pointed out that most imperial seals from China’s past shared this particular design.

However, when it came to determining the precise era of origin, things took an unexpected turn.

A Surprising Discovery

The guest had previously been told that the jade items dated back to 18th-century China.

Initially, Robert also leaned toward that estimate—until he noticed something significant.

The inscription on the jade indicated that the items were actually from 1875, the first year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign.

Further examination of the seal revealed subtle details that ruled out an 18th-century origin.

Robert pointed out the carving style, particularly the “weakness” in the celestial cloud design, which lacked the deep, detailed craftsmanship typical of earlier periods.

He also noted minor mis-carvings in the script on the underside—another clue that placed the seal in the 19th century instead.

A Jaw-Dropping Valuation

Then came the moment of truth—the valuation.

Robert first estimated that the jade book alone could be worth between $20,000 and $30,000.

The guest, visibly taken aback, could only respond with a stunned, “OK… wow.”

But the biggest shock was yet to come.

Robert then revealed that the jade seal, initially expected to be worth between $30,000 and $50,000, could actually fetch far more if the industry agreed on its authenticity and historical significance.

In that case, the auction estimate could skyrocket to an astonishing $300,000 to $500,000.

A Value Far Beyond Expectations

The guest was left utterly speechless. “Oh, is that all?…” she joked, struggling to process the unexpected windfall.

“Well, that’s a little bit different than what I was expecting today, but oh my. Oh my. Thank you. That’s amazing. Wow.”

The most surprising part? In 2007, an appraisal had valued both items at just $1,400 each—an estimate that was now proven wildly inaccurate.

While the UK version of Antiques Roadshow continues to air on BBC, this particular US episode served as a reminder that history, craftsmanship, and a bit of expert knowledge can reveal astonishing truths about the treasures hiding in plain sight.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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