A model was showing the ancient mirror to the audience when it slipped from her hands and fell to the floor.
It shattered into pieces, shocking the audience - especially owner Chen Fengjiu who was sitting in the front row.
Fengjui, a renowned mirror collector, said: "The mirror has been part of my collection for 16 years and is the best one out of more than 1,000 mirrors."
The mirror, from the Warring States Period of Ancient China, was being exhibited on China Central Television's Artwork Investment programme.
It was gold plated, embedded with 11 turquoise stones and the whole body was coated with intricate carvings.
The host of the show immediately cancelled the rest of the programme after the accident and the producer said he would seek expert help to repair the mirror.
Fengjiu has not - so far at least - taken any legal action against the programme.
