A Dumfries resident purchased a glass vase for £1 at a local car‑boot sale in 2008, using it as a plant pot before a BBC Antiques Roadshow specialist spotted its true pedigree. The vase, a 1929 Feuilles Fougères piece, bears a green‑stained cire perdue finish and the wheel‑engraved Lalique mark, bringing it into the realm of highly valued luxury glass.
The discovery escalated quickly when the owner took the vase to Christie’s in South Kensington. Appraised at £25,000 on the programme, the piece was listed with an estimate of £20,000‑£30,000 and ultimately sold for £32,450 on 12 November 2008.
The Guardian highlighted the find in June 2009, framing it as a cautionary tale for car‑boot shoppers: ordinary items can hide extraordinary value. The story also resurfaced in the Evening Standard’s 2015 guide to spotting hidden gems, underscoring the enduring allure of Lalique’s work.
It surprised everyone at the auction. The vase’s dramatic jump from £1 to £32,450 demonstrates how a second‑hand purchase can become a collector’s treasure, a lesson that reverberates through the antique‑market community.