Some of us secretly wonder if that old, ugly vase collecting dust in the attic is actually worth something.
Usually, it’s just a hopeless dream.
But for one woman, that dream actually came true – to the cool tune of “Why the heck can’t that happen to me?”
For a lot of people, just because something is an antique doesn’t mean they value or treasure it.
In fact, many high-value items get sold at garage sales for pennies on the dollar because people don’t realize how much they’re really worth.
This is why PBS’s beloved Antique Roadshow is so popular. It quells our thirst to see antiques and treasures become synonymous with lots and lots of money!
The junk people bring in is not always worth its weight in gold.
But, the appraisers on the show always seem to love the history behind the unique pieces people let them fawn over.
Even if they’re on the same level as “bless your heart” fugly, like this gaudy-looking Tiffany vase that a woman from Chicago brought with her to be eyeballed by an expert.
The fact that it was made by the famous Tiffany & Co was the only reason that she brought it in.
But as you can see, even the most iconic “fancy goods and jewelry emporium” of the last century doesn’t always have good taste.
The dilapidated vessel, which originally belonged to the woman’s great-aunt, was coated in enamel and made of sterling silver.
It didn’t seem to raise anyone’s eyebrows except the appraiser, so he flipped over the vase to show the woman what the letter “T” on the bottom actually meant.
It indicated that it was made between 1891 and 1902, when Charles Tiffany himself was head honcho at the company.
The appraiser went on to explain that the first and second numbers on the bottom were the pattern and order numbers, respectively.
What made this piece quite unusual, however, were the inlaid American turquoise stones.
Curious, the appraiser asked where her aunt first acquired the Tiffany vase.
It turns out that her relative lived near Midway Plaisance in downtown Chicago, which was the site of the famous World’s Columbian Exposition.
The Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair, was held in 1893.
This fell within the timeframe of the dates stamped on the bottom of the Tiffany vase.
It turns out that the big “T” stamped on the bottom, in combination with a tiny little globe, meant that this was a signature piece made specifically for the world expo.
The appraiser suggested that perhaps one of the several husbands the great-aunt dallied with gifted her the item.
That would explain certainly explain the poor taste in decoration.
Chuckling at the woman’s initial reaction to the vase, the appraiser asked his guest, “When you first came in, what did you tell me when you took it out of the bag?”
She cheekily replied, “I said, ‘It’s ugly.'”
Well, ugly times 100,000 is still ugly, but at least now her pocketbook will be happy!
Watch the video below to find out more about this hidden treasure.
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