Don't Perforate Your Porcelain

The owner of a 250-year-old Chinese porcelain vase has learned an important lesson about not drilling holes in 250-year-old Chinese porcelain vases.

It had a sticker on the bottom saying '14 dollars' and was presumed to be worthless. It was passed down through the family until, 40 years ago, an ancestor drilled a small hole through it so it could be used as an electric lamp.

It was only when the porcelain was remarked upon by a family friend that its true value was discovered.

Experts told its woman owner, from south-west London, it would have been worth £250,000 without the hole and if it had been accompanied by its matching pair. [Link]

Even so, it was appraised at £20,000.