A Chinese Jade collection from the 18th century was appraised — conservatively — at $1.07 million during an “Antiques Roadshow” event in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday. That sets a record for “Roadshow,” which had been aiming to pass the $1 million mark for awhile. Expect to see the discovery next season, which begins Jan. 4.

Here are more details from PBS:

At its Raleigh, N.C., event on Saturday, June 27, 2009, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW taped the highest-value appraisal in its 13-year history. Four pieces of Chinese carved jade and celadon from the Chien Lung Dynasty (1736-1795), including a large bowl crafted for the Emperor, was given a conservative auction estimate of as much as $1.07M. The owner inherited the collection from her father, who bought the objects in the 1930s and 1940s, while stationed in China as a military liaison. Asian arts appraiser James Callahan of Skinner, Inc., noted the fine quality of the pieces, evidence that they were not made simply for the tourist trade, and he was rewarded by finding a mark on the bottom of the jade bowl that translates as “by Imperial order. “

The jade collection now tops the list of high value ANTIQUES ROADSHOW appraisals. Moving to second place is a 1937 painting by American Abstract Expressionist artist Clyfford Still, found in Palm Springs, CA, in 2008. The painting had been given a retail estimate of $500,000.

Said ROADSHOW: “For  thirteen years, we’ve been hoping to feature a million-dollar appraisal on ANTIQUES ROADSHOW; it’s been our ‘Great White Whale.’ We’re thrilled that, despite this year’s slow economy, ROADSHOW finally captured this elusive trophy.”

Raleigh was the second stop in ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’s 2009 production tour, after Atlantic City on June 6. PBS’s most-watched series continues on to Madison, WI; Denver, CO; Phoenix, AZ; and San Jose, CA– and the hunt for even more undiscovered treasures!