A Bargain Hunt star was left shocked after uncovering the true value of a scuffed table stashed away in a small house.
Auctioneer Charles Hanson coincidentally came across the rare item in a house in Derby.
He later discovered the table was dated around 1600, making it 400-years old and from the Chinese Ming Dynasty.
Charles said: “It’s a really important table. Though it was made centuries ago, its simplicity reflects modern design."
“It is a work of art. It was crafted during the Ming Dynasty period which dates back to 1368-1644. Its simplicity defines modern style."
The antiques is expected to fetch between £50,000 and £80,000 when it's sold at auction.
Charles revealed the table's rare history and the materials used to make the item, which in turn make the table so valuable.
The owners of the scuffed table had no idea of its origin and true value after inheriting it from a relative who collected items items originating from Asia.
Charles explained the piece, named the Banzhuo table, would have originally been owned by a high-ranking member of society.
The Banzhuo table dates back to about 1600 and is made of hunaghuali wood.
It measures 37 inches wide, 31 inches high and 18.5 inches deep.
The auctioneer added: "Items like this are mentioned in 16th-century Chinese novels about life in grand houses. Its design has been seen in wall murals relating to the Jinyuan Dynasties of 1115-1368."
“Banzhuo literally means ‘half table’ and is so-called for its size, which is half that of an 'eight immortals table'.
“The banzhuo was mainly used for serving wine and food and is also sometimes referred to as a jiezhuo, meaning extension table.”
Despite the simplistic table's pricey value, the auctioneer was unable to confirm the Ming Dynasty item's future and whether it would be heading for a new home any time soon.
However, an auction is expected for the antiques and it is likely it will be snapped up by a Ming Dynasty collector.
