N.C. woman's jade gets record 'Roadshow' appraisal

RALEIGH, N.C. — The popular PBS series "Antiques Roadshow" set an appraisal record in Raleigh, when a collection of Chinese jade was valued at possibly more than $1 million.

Show publicist Erika Denn says the four pieces of jade – a bowl, a vase with ruby details, an animal figure and an Imperial bowl – from the Chien Lung period (1736-1795) was valued at $710,000 to $1.07 million. That breaks the previous record of $500,000 set last year in Palm Springs, Calif., for a 1937 painting by abstract expressionist Clyfford Still.

An unidentified woman from eastern North Carolina owns the jade, which she brought to the show early Saturday.

The show also drew 34,000 requests for tickets, besting the previous record of 29,000 tickets for a show in San Jose, Calif. Denn says 6,400 tickets were distributed in Raleigh.

"I watch the show all the time," Mary, of Rutherford, said. "To get tickets was like a dream come true."

Mary brought a Victorian tea caddy to the show to get appraised. "It was a wonderful experience," she said.

The show, filmed at the Raleigh Convention Center, will air on PBS sometime next year.