An historic 18th Century pitcher has been found on a top of a Lichfield wardrobe.
The object was spotted by antiques valuer Victoria Sheppard at a weekly valuation event held at the Hedgehog Innby Hansons Auctioneers.
She said: “It’s a beautiful object dating back to circa 1750, making it more than 260 years old. Its owner had no idea it was of any value. It had been kept on top of a wardrobe and used to store coins.
“It features geometric patterns against a blue background and is a really lovely piece. I have given it a guide price of £140-£180.”
The pitcher will go to auction on February 21.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said the item was expected to be popular.
“This is yet another amazing find in Lichfield,” he said. “In December, Hansons sold three Chinese bowls, discovered at the same valuation event, for a combined total of £62,000 – much to their owner’s delight.
“They had estimates of £500 to £800 each and had been bought by our client’s father at junk shops in the 1950s or 60s for no more than £1 each.
“The discovery of this wonderful pitcher shows, yet again, that the people of Lichfield are sitting unwittingly on some incredible treasures that could deliver a windfall at auction.”