Stone flower pot at Winston Churchill's birthplace revealed to be £300,000 Roman coffin

A stone trough used as a flower pot at Winston Churchill’s birthplace has been revealed to be a rare Roman coffin worth an eyewatering £300,000.

The sarcophagus, which is believed to be 1,700 years old, was used as a vase for two centuries at Blenheim Palace until its true value was realised by an eagle-eyed auctioneer.

The marble coffin was engraved with an image of a Roman party – featuring figures such as ‘god of wine’ Dionysus, wife Ariadne, and ultra-strong Hercules.

The carved sarcophagus was used to plant tulips, and had been situated in a rock garden since it was first brought to the property at the turn of the 20th century.

It was originally purchased by the 5th Duke of Marlborough, who purchased the hugely valuable sarcophagus and brought it to his home.

But more than 200 years later, an auctioneer spotted the plant trough’s true value, and its original purpose, as he toured the palace.

Conservators subsequently removed the 400kg marble slab, which measured nearly two metres long, in order to inspect it and take it away for restoration.

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

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‘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.’

The intricate Roman artwork has now been brought inside Blenheim Palace, which was originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren, to protect it from the elements.

House manager Kate Ballenger said: ‘We are delighted to have it back and the restoration work undertaken by Nicholas is very impressive.

‘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.’

Auctioneers now believe that the new discovery could be worth around £300,000, after a similar sarcophagus, which had also been used as a planter, sold for £100,000 in 2013.