Your 'Antiques Roadshow' fantasy - those old cups = $1 million
Chinese cups presented in Oklahoma at an "Antiques Roadshow" taping are worth more than $1 million.
July 24th, 2011
01:39 PM ET

Your 'Antiques Roadshow' fantasy - those old cups = $1 million

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.

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Filed under: antiques • Oklahoma
soundoff (194 Responses)
  1. Igata Takeshiita

    D'oh! I donated a bunch of those to Goodwill last year!! Oh the humanity!

    July 25, 2011 at 3:23 am | Report abuse |
  2. Barney the purple rhino

    Hey that's mine, give it back!

    July 25, 2011 at 6:38 am | Report abuse |
  3. Sunday

    It's only worth what someone is will to pay.

    July 25, 2011 at 6:42 am | Report abuse |
  4. Benny

    The owner, 97 year old Billy Jean Gray, said she was thrilled they were worth so much money but she was going to keep them as cereal bowels for her great-grandchildren because "Those little ones love to eat out of various anatomical pieces of endangered species. Just last night, all 52 of my grandchildren came over and we had a dinner of roast California Condor with broiled Bluefin Tuna served on our Cross River Gorilla bone table. I was terribly angry when they spilled the Hawksbill Sea Turtle soup on my Iberian Lynx and Asiatic Cheetah fur carpet but you can't stay angry at the little ones long."

    She promply slipped on the steps leaving the warehouse breaking all the pieces and her hip. 400 personal injury lawyers showed up to the scene of the accident 30 minutes prior to the medics. PBS settled for a lifetime supply of Metamucil.

    It's a shame really that they broke. The Chineese Government was willing to further supress it's population for another 20 years just for the chance to own these antique pieces of their communist heritage.

    July 25, 2011 at 7:14 am | Report abuse |
    • anabellllla

      cereal bowels, LOL

      July 25, 2011 at 7:22 am | Report abuse |
  5. What?

    Don't worry. The Rhino has been dead for four or five centuries. The cups are from the 16th or 17th century. Just calm down and pour a cup of coffee.

    July 25, 2011 at 9:34 am | Report abuse |
  6. Chris

    Mine is where I come across a 59' Les Paul in prime condition....I of course wouldn't sell it....but still would be nice to own and play.

    July 25, 2011 at 10:33 am | Report abuse |
  7. Darryl

    The trade of rhino horn is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora since 1977. Expect this person to be receiving a call from Fish and Wildlife or Gaming Commissioner.

    July 25, 2011 at 10:56 am | Report abuse |
    • Ziggy

      You need to read the story more carefully.

      These are from the 16th / 17th century!

      July 25, 2011 at 11:40 am | Report abuse |
    • Susan

      I specialize in the transport of art and antiques. I can say that because the items were created prior to the enactment of this law, they are considered pre-convention on the Fish & Wildlife list. But a permit will be required if it travels internationally. And on that subject, some countries signed a treaty regarding the reclaiming of historic items. If these items are listed on the treaty (and I think they are), they will be returned to China if they travel internationally.

      August 2, 2011 at 7:45 am | Report abuse |
  8. Guest

    Because we can certainly justify murdering someone today over objects made of animals that would have died naturally at least 500 years ago?

    July 25, 2011 at 11:21 am | Report abuse |
  9. Ziggy

    You need to read the story more carefully.

    These are from the 16th / 17th century.

    July 25, 2011 at 11:41 am | Report abuse |
  10. Ziggy

    I am still looking for an original Rembrandt etching at a garage sale.

    July 25, 2011 at 11:46 am | Report abuse |
  11. NewYork1

    Stolen and loote, they shall be returned.

    July 25, 2011 at 8:28 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Cynthia Nelson

    What a fortunate person, to have obtained objects made from rhino horn. These must be extremely old and certainly made before the hunting of rhino became illegal. This gives all of us who attend yard sales and flea markets hope, it's sort of like playing the lottery. LOL

    July 25, 2011 at 9:44 pm | Report abuse |
  13. justme

    Take a pill!

    July 26, 2011 at 1:29 am | Report abuse |
  14. Ah-ha

    Wow you are one shallow person. What are you jealous you won't make the that much $ in you lifetime...

    July 26, 2011 at 7:07 am | Report abuse |
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