On Sunday, appraisers from the PBS hit show "Antiques Roadshow" recorded the highest-value collection ever appraised in the show's 15-year history.
The big ticket item: five Chinese carved rhinoceros-horn cups dating to the late 17th or early 18th century, which are worth between $1 and $1.5 million. An Oklahoma resident bought the cups inexpensively in the 1970s, according to a press release from the show's producers. The reason the value of the cups is so high is due to China's growing demand for Chinese antiquities.
The episode will air as part of "Antiques Roadshow's" 16th season in 2012. The name of the lucky owner of the cups was not released.
Hey my sista,hows every lil thing,and my gramma has the powder blue flocked rice wallpaper!! and CSinSC LMAO! throw in a set of goldenrod or avocado corningware and you gotcher self a deal my friend!!
The rhinos probably weren't endangered around 1700 when these were made, super genius.
Asians have no respect for other species. They are a disgrace. These "cups" are ugly. The horns look way more appealing on the rhino thanks.
I'm thinking of buying these.
I bought a dozen at Sears in the late 1960s.
Jesus, is that you ? I've been seeking you forever. You've had two thousand years to buy a set of these, so I doubt you're going to now.
M name is worth at least $10K in miss sent donations every year. My brother Elvis also does well.
LMAO! Best comment ever.
The 2-piece is especially beautiful.
Amazing how much skill, time and passion went into it.
I would like to know the history of this and how it ended up in the hands of the guy who brought it for appraisal.
Imagine how that rhino must have suffered.
Continue to imagine the suffering of all the animals that go into your lifestyle and that you consume and crap out everyday.
There is a possibility the horn was taken from a dead rhino.
I meant already dead, as in roadkill.
Even at 1.5 mil. they look like a better buy than the ugly pic of Billy the Kid that one of the Koch brothers recently paid 2+ mil for.
Every penny the Koch brothers don't spend on their teaparty creation is money well spent.
There is nothing uglier than the Koch brothers!
how long before the chinese goverment say they're stolen!!!!!
I'd say in about 3... 2....
awesome. I hope they need the money – really. It's always good to see a story where somebody literally hits the jackpot.
HOLY CRAP!
No "HOLY CRAP" from Pope Pius the 12th went for only $400,000. GOP HACKS SAY THAT THE RICH (OVER $250K ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME FOLKS) OUGHT NOT TO PAY MORE BUCKS THAN A $15,000 JANITOR IN TAXES. MAYBE THE PRICES OF THESE ODDBALL AND UNECESSARY END TABLE ITEMS WOULD SELL FOR LESS.
I imagine the Chinese government will demand the cups be returned, claiming that they were stolen. Unless the owner can prove they were bought legally originally, which is pretty much impossible.
So happy for the owners! Looking forward to seeing this episode to learn more details.
SOLD!!
I wouldn't pay a half of a penny for them.
Not clear how you would pay half of a penny for anything.
I wish someone could help me with the value of the dagger that I have....two archeologists, three anthropologists, and many other professionals CANNOT tell me the origin or worth. Are there any dagger experts out there? Contact me at cwellington2006 at yahoo dot com.
The dagger's value is if it was authenticated as have been stuck in a historical figure... like Julius Caesar, Other than that, it's value is in the workmanship which rarely would exceed $2,000.
What the article failed to mention is that the owner unexpectedly tripped over the sidewalk, walking out to her car after the show, hurling the cardboard box that the cups were being transported. All 5 cups were damaged beyond repair.