Appraisers on hand at the taping of the Antiques Roadshow television program were overwhelmed when a New Mexico woman brought in a rare Chinese marble figure. The white marble Chinese lion was carved between 618 and 907 A.D.

Lark Mason, Senior Vice President of Sotheby's, appraised the item at $250,000, and said he was almost speechless when confronted with the item. "Not only was this a rare find for the Chubb's Antiques Roadshow, but it also one of the finest examples of sculpture from the Tang Dynasty that has appeared on the market in recent years."

"Chubb's Antiques Roadshow" is a top-rated PBS TV series produced by WGBH Boston. It features a series of local events at which top appraisers determine the value of America's "hidden treasures," tell the stories behind those treasures and encourage people to preserve and protect their valuables. The show airs Mondays at 8 p. m. on PBS (check local listings). http://ww.pbs.org/antiques