A very rare 18th-century Chinese vase, which was kept in a kitchen, has been sold at auction for a colossal sum of almost £1.5 million. The vase was previously purchased for a few hundred pounds by a surgeon back in the 1980s.

Created for the court of the Qianlong Emperor in the 1700s, the blue-glazed, silver and gilt vase is 60cm tall and decorated with bats and cranes. The vase was sold by the family of the late surgeon, who bought the precious item because he liked the way it looked. It sat in the kitchen for decades in the family’s home in the Midlands. The piece was spotted back in the 1990s by Mark Newstead, an antiques expert, who was there for a social visit. Some years later, Newstead identified the seal mark on the base of the vase; he suggested it had likely been displayed in the mid-18th century in the halls of the Qing palace.

Dreweatts Auctioneers estimated the case to be worth somewhere between £100,000 - £150,000. However, when it went under the hammer, it dramatically exceeded this pre-sale calculation fetching £1.2 million with the buyer’s premium bringing the total cost to near £1.5 million. The vase went to an international buyer who placed the winning bid over the phone.

Newstead, the specialist consultant in Asian Ceramic Art at the auction house where the piece was sold, stated “We are delighted with the result. It shows the demand for the finest porcelain produced in the world.”

Do you have an interest in Chinese antiques and collectables? If so, check out these upcoming lots – who knows, you may find something that turns out to be worth a fortune in years to come!

This Chinese blue and white vase is listed by Lockdales Auctioneers and goes up for sale on June 8^th. In crackle glaze with a foo dog finial to the lid and Chinese characters to the base, the piece measures 21.5cm in height and is estimated to fetch between $50 - £80. 

This set of four Chinese silver dishes on feet is listed by Whittons Auctions and is due to go under the hammer on June 8^th. Marked to base with dragon and bamboo design, the lot is expected to fetch between £400 - £500. 

This Chinese Fahau Buddah is listed by Hannam’s Auctioneers and due to go under the hammer on June 8^th. It measures 13cm and is expected to fetch between £150 – £200. 

This Chinese porcelain famille rose vase will be sold by Hannam’s Auctioneers on June7th. It measures 44cm high and is decorated with peached and bats. It comes with a gilt bronze stand and is expected to fetch between £800 - £900.

This Chinese bronze incense burner will go under the Hammer at Hannam’s Auctioneers on June 7^th. In the form of a beast and measuring 17 x 25 cm, it is expected to fetch between £200 - £260.

There’s plenty more lots on our website. Simply use the search bar to find items matching your interests from a wide variety of auctioneers.

Credits: Cara Bentham - https://www.easyliveauction.com/blog/2cfab7d889d2df2a7da18b521dc8516f/rare-chinese-vase-sells-for-a-fortune-at-auction/