Matching pair of rare Chinese vases sell for £324,000 after sitting unnoticed on downsizing couple’s mantelpiece for decades
- Two rare Chinese vases fetched an unsuspecting couple £324,000 at auction
- Spotted by antiques expert called to their home as they were having a clear out
- 8inch tall pieces dated from the reign of Emperor Qianlong in 18th century China
A matching pair of rare Chinese vases that an unsuspecting couple had on their mantelpiece for decades have sold at auction for £324,000.
The porcelain wall vases were spotted by an antiques expert who had been called to the vendors’ home as they were having a clear-out ahead of a house move.
The couple inherited them in about 1950 and they had sat above their fireplace ever since.
The specialist identified the 8ins tall pieces as dating from the reign of Emperor Qianlong in 18th century China and told them they could be worth £30,000.
A matching pair of rare Chinese vases that an unsuspecting couple had on the mantelpiece of their west London for decades have sold at auction for £324,000
But matching pairs of Chinese vases from this period are rarely offered on the market and interest in them took off.
The bidding started at £20,000, but it immediately jumped to £100,000 and then took 15 minutes to climb to the final bid of £260,000.
An agent in the room acting for a wealthy Chinese collector eventually saw off competition from eight other bidders.
With fees and premiums added on the total price paid was £324,500.
Mr Forrest said: ‘It was a tremendous privilege to sell this pair of porcelain wall vases made in the imperial kilns during the reign of Emperor Qianlong.
The specialist identified the 8ins tall pieces as dating from the reign of Emperor Qianlong in 18th century China and told them they could be worth £30,000
‘Emperor Qianlong was arguably one of the greatest collectors of art and these vases, likely to have been commissioned by him, reflect this through their complex potting, impeccable painted decoration in enamels, and the inscription of an ancient poem.
‘The couple who consigned the vases were of course delighted when they heard the result.
‘They were so pleased that we spotted the vases among the contents of their house in west London.
‘They were in the process of downsizing and disposing of most of their possessions and had never looked at them closely enough to appreciate their true worth.
‘I was told that they had been furnishing a mantelpiece for many years and the vases may or may not have made the cut to be moved to their new house.
‘Like many inherited objects, one attaches a certain degree of sentimental value but may not appreciate their true value.
‘We have been truly privileged to be custodians of these wonderful objects, and thanks to a hugely successful sale, we have found them a new home.’
The 8in tall vases are finely decorated with lotus blooms connected by twisting scrolls, symbolising purity, on a ruby body. An Imperial poem composed by Emperor Qianlong is inscribed on each.
He composed the poem in 1758 to express his delight in seeing a wall vase filled with a flower hanging inside of his sedan chair on the way to a hunting trip.
There are 320 Qianlong wall vases recorded in the Palace Museum of Beijing collections, and about 138 of them are inscribed with poems by the emperor.