ownership of purchased house contents

[Leopold1904]

Not sure if this is the right section, so apologies if not... I've just purchased a house and I have found an item of some value in it which was clearly hidden - in a secret cupboard in the dining room. Does this belong to me, or can the seller of the house claim ownership? I estimate it's worth about £10k, and has clearly been hidden for a very long time, possibly decades, although not before the previous owners bought the house, they certainly hid it (they owned the house for 60 years).
Thanks for advice.

[paulajayne]

Was the purchase house and contents?

[Manxman]

How did you find the secret cupboard?

[Leopold1904]

Was the purchase house and contents?

There were some contents/fixtures included, but otherwise the house was empty.

[Leopold1904]

How did you find the secret cupboard?

Suspicious hollow wall. It was actually a compartment open at the top, which I notice trying to run a speaker cable.

[Manxman]

There were some contents/fixtures included, but otherwise the house was empty.

How were those contents specified in the agreement?

eg either (a) all contents of the house after completion date or (b) specifically named items?

My own view would be that this very high value item still belongs either to the vendor(s) or to whoever left it if not the vendors.

If the vendors are deceased, then to their estate.

[Leopold1904]

Ok, thanks for the advice.

[atticus]

I agree with Manxman. What you have bought is the land and house, with fixtures and fittings and any specified items (often things like carpets, curtains and appliances).