http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-05/31/content_604588.htm
Notice two things about the above article. One it was sold at auction for around 10.13 MILLION
Second this Quote" The vase was originally inherited by a Scottish couple who used it as a lamp and did not realize its value until they saw a similar example in a museum"
http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question40292.html
The thing I want to point out is this: Compare the value between an undamaged one ($120,000) with a damaged one ($30,000). If you were an art thief, would you really take the chance of the item you are stealing losing 3/4 of its value?
As for the kidnapping idea. I said it once. What does Agasa have to suggest he has any money. To me all signs show he is not rich, so why a kidnap unless it is for the Vase?
Also while you might cut around the painting of say a Van Go, you would not cut across the middle. Here you be very careful not to damage it. The painting, not the frame is what is of value.
And most thing of real value have to be seen in real life to know if they are real or fakes. The thieves could not have known just by look at the video, the real value of that vase.
.. 
. Then again, they was just suspicious about her gender, that all.
