A MARBLE flowerpot that has been in use for the last 200 years at Blenheim Palace is actually a 1,700-year-old Roman sarcophagus, worth up to £300,000.

The coffin was obtained by the 5th Duke of Marlborough in the 19th Century and was initially used to collect water from a natural spring near the Great Lake.

It was then incorporated into a rock garden in the early 20th century where it stayed, until recently.

But it was a chance encounter by an eagle eyed auctioneer who spotted it was more than a nice garden feature. 

Following a thorough investigation it was identified as the front of a white marble sarcophagus, and is covered with extremely fine bas-relief carvings depicting a drunken Dionysus leaning on a satyr and flanked by ‘party revellers’ including Hercules and Ariadne and two large lion heads.

A team of conservators from Cliveden Conservation were brought in to carefully lift the marble section, which measures close to two metres in length and weighs in excess of 400 kilograms, and take it to their workshop to be restored.

Nicholas Banfield, who oversaw the restoration, said: “The piece is actually in remarkable condition considering it has withstood seemingly aggressive environments; particularly that of a fountain receptacle. 

"Following an initial in-situ inspection we were able to unbolt it from the lead cistern to which it was attached and take it back to our workshops for full cleaning, repair and stabilisation.

Now the sarcophagus is proudly on display in the palace.

Kate Ballenger, house manager at Winston Churchill's birthplace, said:  "We are delighted to have it back and the restoration work undertaken by Nicholas is very impressive. 

Oxford Mail:

Kate Ballenger, house manager at Blenheim Palace. Picture: Blenheim Palace.

"Now it is in a consistent indoor climate away from the natural elements we are hoping it will remain in good condition and survive for many more centuries to come."

In 2013 auctioneer Guy Schwinge sold a similar sarcophagus for £100,000 after finding it being used as a plant trough, said this example could be worth three times that.