Antiques Roadshow Guest Gets the Surprise of a Lifetime After Host Examines Her Old Family Heirloom

5. Tracing the Statue's Origin

Fortunately, when it comes to any sort of art, there usually are a few distinguishing characteristics that art specialists and antique appraisers can search for to help ascertain the age of a piece. The proprietor of this family relic fortunately had a close friend who knew a thing or two about Chinese art; the buddy positioned the monument as created during the Ming Dynasty in China. It could have thus fallen between the 14th and the 17th centuries. But Ming Dynasty vintage antiques are not particularly rare, so something else had to be making appraiser Lark Mason so enthusiastic and ready for his appraisal during the segment. Over over three centuries, the Ming Dynasty was renowned for its creative achievements and fine workmanship. Although objects from this era are precious, they are not rare in the realm of Chinese antiquities. Mason's enthusiasm suggested that this monument had unique features unlike those of other Ming relics. Maybe it was the particular carving technique, the quality of the marble, or some subtle indication suggesting a particularly famous artist or workshop. Whatever it was, Mason clearly understood something very unique about this little lion statue—something that would make this assessment in the Antiques Roadshow history books one unforgettable.