Antiques Roadshow

GUEST

My husband and I lived in Springfield, Illinois, and we went to a local auction gallery. We saw this. I liked it a lot. My husband thought it was big and we probably didn't need it. But it was the very last item in the auction.

APPRAISER

What did you pay for it?

GUEST

$35.

APPRAISER

And when was this?

GUEST

About nine or ten years ago.

APPRAISER

Nine or ten years ago. It's probably mid to late 19th century.

GUEST

Okay.

APPRAISER

It's quintessentially something that's of Chinese taste. It's very, very pretty. It's decorative-- the dragons, the peony flowers. And a fantastic interior to the bowl as well. And it was a fish bowl.

GUEST

Oh, my goodness.

APPRAISER

And this is the kind of thing the Chinese are looking to get back. Nowadays, a piece like this would probably sell in the neighborhood between $6,000 to $8,000.

GUEST

(gasps) Oh, my... When it was $35 and there was no other bid, he said, "Okay, bid." And so...

APPRAISER

You wouldn't have gotten it for $35 if I was there.

GUEST

(chuckling)