Under the Hammer

Cheshire leads the way with star finds after cracked Oriental treasure sparks worldwide bidding battle

A new year of antique discoveries is under way and I hope Cheshire can replicate the success of 2021 when it sparked one of the year’s major finds.

A damaged Chinese vase - dismissed as worthless - sold for tens of thousands of pounds after I spotted its potential. I was called to value objects at a client’s Cheshire home but she didn’t show me the cracked vase, believing it to be of no value. A few years ago, she had taken the inherited piece to a U3A event to show an Asian ‘expert’. Due to its damage, she told our client it was worthless, nor did she recognise the mark on its base.

However, it took my eye instantly. It was on top of a glass cabinet, its home for 25 years. Antique Oriental porcelain is highly sought after by wealthy Chinese buyers. They’re keen to repatriate items and honour the country’s rich ceramics heritage. Closer investigation revealed that the Chinese blue and white nine-dragon bottle vase bore a Jiaqing mark from the period 1796-1820 making it around 200 years old. It entered Hansons’ October 2021 Fine Art sale with a guide price of £10,000-£15,000 – and sparked a fierce bidding battle. The hammer finally went down at £40,000 and the object returned to China. The total paid with buyer’s premium was £55,595. Not bad for an item deemed worthless. The strong price for the vase, which featured painted dragons chasing a flaming pearl among

trailing clouds, was achieved despite a 5cm by 8cm reglued section on the rim and a 27cm crack. Its style of decoration had its roots in the imperial designs of the Qianlong period (17361795). Similar examples exist in The Palace Museum, Beijing, China. The owner of the vase, an 89-year-old retired speech therapist, told me she remembered seeing it at her grandparents’ house a long time Isabel Murtough, head of Fine Art at Hansons, with the valuable ago. However, she had no idea Chinese vase. how they came to own it. She was amazed to discover its potential value and even more delighted by the result. She planned to share the proceeds with her children. Finds like this that make my day. It’s wonderful to deliver some unexpected windfall joy. In addition, a grateful Chinese buyer is thrilled to secure a piece of their country’s ceramics heritage. Entries are invited for Hansons Auctioneers’ forthcoming auctions.

This Chinese vase, Jiaqing Free valuations and home visits period, sold for a hammer available across Cheshire and price of £40,000. surrounding counties. To find out more, email service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk or call 01283 733988. Twitter: HansonsUK Facebook: HansonsAuctioneersUK Instagram: hansons_auctioneers