Valuable sauceboat discovered in probate evaluation

It has been revealed that a routine probate evaluation has uncovered a valuable sauceboat.

The Salisbury Journal reported that the sauceboat was sold for £4,400 at auction, despite having a chipped rim and a handle that has been replaced with wire and plaster.

Staff at Netherhampton Salesrooms found the Chelsea porcelain item when they carried out a routine probate valuation.

"It was terribly damaged and the price it fetched was totally unexpected," auctioneer Philip Rance said.

Last year, another routine probate valuation found a painting in an Oxford home, which later sold for £130,000 at auction.

The 1913 image was by artist CRW Nevinson but the family who owned it did not know its worth prior to a probate list being compiled.

Auctioneers Mallams sold the piece for more than the £25,000 to £35,000 it was valued at when a bidding war began over the painting.

The Oxford Mail reported that the painting was described as first-rate by art historian Philip Smith.

Published by Hannah Carr