An Illinois man made an astonishing discovery after purchasing a plate for just $4.99 at a Goodwill store in Evanston, an affluent neighborhood in Illinois. John Carcerano, a carpet cleaner with 35 years of experience in buying and selling antiques, did not expect that a simple visit to a thrift store would lead him to one of the greatest finds of his life.
During a routine trip to the thrift store, Carcerano was rummaging through a bin of used items alongside other shoppers. Among the assortment of goods, he noticed a porcelain plate tucked beneath a modern dish. Initially, the plate did not stand out, but something about it caught his eye. “The plate was lying under a modern dish, and I, along with a few other people, was searching the same bin of used items,” said Carcerano.
After purchasing the plate, he returned home and decided to investigate its origin. He used Google Lens to photograph the plate and quickly identify it. To his amazement, the application revealed that the plate was a valuable antique. “Within five minutes, I knew I had a priceless thing,” said Carcerano, according to Newsweek.
Seeking to confirm its authenticity, he reached out to several prestigious auction houses, including Sotheby’s. Experts at Sotheby’s verified that the piece is a Chinese export armorial chamfered rectangular platter from the Qianlong period, dating back to around 1775. The plate’s value is estimated between $4,000 and $6,000.
Originating from the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty, the plate is adorned with noble symbols and is noted for its exceptional condition. “What makes the plate special is its condition. It was never eaten from or used; there are no scratches. It is in perfect condition,” explained Carcerano.
Understanding the rarity of his find, he also reached out to antique Chinese porcelain groups on Facebook. Enthusiasts and experts within these groups confirmed the value of the plate. “In the last 50 years, only two such plates have been auctioned in history,” explained Carcerano.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
This article was originally published at www.jpost.com
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