Bargain Hunt’s most valuable item ever revealed – and how the simple-looking item almost ended up in a charity shop
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.
The illustrious title of the show’s most prized possession, however, is an 18th-century Chinese ‘teapot’ – which was almost thrown away during spring cleaning.
Branding the item the ‘most important item ever sold’, Bargain Hunt expert Charles Hanson managed to scoop the pot for an eye-watering £390,000 at auction.
The ‘rare Chinese wine jug’ had been collecting dust in a Derbyshire attic for fifty years before being brought to the show.
The astonishing find was brought into the sales room because a curious customer wanted to make sure the porcelain piece was worth something before donating it to a charity shop.
Bargain Hunt’s most valuable item ever revealed – and how the plain-looking item almost ended up in a charity shop – this Chinese teapot went to auction for £390,000
Bargain hunting expert Charles Hanson (pictured) described the item, which had been collecting dust in an attic for 50 years, as ‘the most important item objects’ he has ever sold
The valuable antiques previously inherited from World War II soldier Ronald Wadsworth, owner of a Burma Star medal, left experts amazed.
Auctioneer Charles Hanson described it as the ‘ultimate bargain hunting find’ and told host Natasha Raskin Sharp in the 2023 repeat episode that the jug was ‘just one of three known’.
The other two “very sacred, very important and very rare” ceremonial jugs are currently in two museums in Beijing and Taiwan.
According to Hanson, the 18th century ceremonial teapot would have been used to hold water at the court of the Chinese Emperor Qianlong.
He added: “Emperor Qianlong, that great emperor of the arts, wanted his enamellist in Beijing to make the very best. And the quality is just out of this world
‘This is one of only three known, one is in a museum in Taiwan, one is in the museum of Beijing, China, and it comes from humble Burton-Upon-Trent, voila! unbelievably, we have another one.”
Speaking to host Natasha Raskin Sharp, Charles explained that the ceremonial item would have previously been used at the court of Chinese Emperor Qianlong in the 18th century.
‘It’s probably what Faberge is to the Russians and what imperial enamel is to Chinese billionaires, and to me this is a must-have item for any important Chinese connoisseur looking to acquire the best of Emperor Qianlong’s treasures.
‘For me, in its historical placement, this object is the most important object I have ever sold.’
Initially thought to be worth £150, the precious item was purchased by the grandfather of the pre-auction owner in the 1940s.
The construction worker discussed what he thought of the illustrious find up for auction BBC in 2020.
“I’m very happy, this will change a few things for all of us.
‘I was sitting at home with my brother and family watching the auction live, it was exciting, I had a few cans of Guinness beforehand.
“Tonight we’re going to have a drink and toast grandpa.”
The bright yellow teapot was initially thought to be worth £150, but it was purchased by World War II soldier Ronald Wadsworth
Revealing that the jug was just one of three in existence in the entire world, Charles said: ‘It’s probably what Faberge is to the Russians and what imperial enamel is to Chinese billionaires’