A rare, ancient and ornate Qing dynasty Chinese robe, bought by a British artist in Hong Kong decades ago, sold for thousands of pounds in Hansons London’s autumn auction.
Chinese bidders came out in force to secure the robe, which was among several Oriental textiles purchased by the vendor’s mother around 40 years ago. The Qing dynasty (1644 to 1912) full length court robe, possibly Qianlong period (1735 to 1796) sold for a total of £13,000, with buyer’s premium, to a Chinese buyer.
It was the highlight of one of Hansons London’s most successful sales ever. Associate director Chris Kirkham said: “The robe, found at a home in Richmond Upon Thames, had been stored in a bag with other Asian textiles for years. It was purchased by the vendor’s mother, a keen artist, in the 1980s when she was living in Hong Kong with her husband.
“The vendor told us his mother’s passion for Asian antiques developed through visits to Hollywood Road, a street in Hong Kong renowned for its antiques market. She became fascinated by the quality, detail and symbolism found in antique Chinese textiles. Whenever she could, she bought an exquisite piece of embroidery and, when her budget allowed, an entire robe.
“We were delighted to see this exquisite garment achieve the price it deserved. The overall response to the auction was outstanding. Bidders were attracted by a well-rounded and eclectic mix of treasures.
“We even sold an item saved from a skip in Richmond. Lot 154, a humble Regency drum table with a Moroccan leather top sold for £950. And loose change found in a client’s home turned out to be 17th century Maundy money. It made £750 under the hammer.”
Other items to do well in Hansons London’s October 30 auction included lot 244, an oil painting of an Arabian scene by French painter Charles-Émile Vacher de Tournemine (1812-1872). Discovered during a routine house visit in Chelsea, it sold for a hammer price of £2,700.
Royalty came to the fore in lot 146. Signed, framed photographs of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were taken to a free Hansons valuation event at the Normansfield Theatre in Teddington. Gifted to the vendor’s late father, a British diplomat in South Africa, they made £1,500.
Lot 75, a fine set of four London 19th century silver Corinthian candlesticks reached £1,400;
Lot 265, a 19th century Fusee clock ticked to £1,100 and lot 17, a yellow ground Chinese silk fragment of material featuring a five-claw dragon reached £950.
Entries are invited for Hansons London’s December 11 Fine Art and Antiques Auction. To book a free valuation, or home visit, email [email protected] or call 07469 353077.
Free valuations are available by appointment at Normansfield Theatre, 2A Langdon Park, Teddington, London TW11 9PS, on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am-4pm, and Saturdays, 9.30am-12.30pm. To book, call 0207 018 9300 or email [email protected].
