A valuable Chinese vase given to a British spy during the Second World War has been uncovered in Derbyshire.
The blue and white object had been languishing in a lounge in West Hallam, near Ilkeston, for decades, treasured by a man with a secretive past.
It’s been identified as a blue and white ‘lotus’ bottle vase, tianqiuping, Qianlong seal mark, Republican period. Decorated with a dense design of stylised lotus and scroll work, it has a guide price of £1,000-£1,500. However, with strong demand for Chinese ceramics from the Far East, it could reach headier heights when it goes to auction on June 30.
The vase belonged to a gentleman who passed away at the age of 94 in 2011 after enjoying a life packed with adventure, according to his great granddaughter.
The 32-year-old nurse, from Mansfield, Notts, said: “We all loved my great grandad. He was a fascinating man. I was told by my grandad, his son, that he been a spy during the Second World War. He occasionally hinted at this. When I was 10 or 11, he said there were things he couldn’t tell me because he’d signed the Official Secrets Act. He gave me a book on Bletchley Park, the secret home of the World War Two code breakers.
“When I was a little girl, I used to love visiting his house. He indulged me and let my play with the Chinese vase. Back then, I wanted to be a doctor and pretended to pour medicine into it. He told me it had been given to him by a family in Japan who he lived with during the war. He talked very fondly about them.
“My great-grandfather and his brother served in the military. I think they may both have been spies. When they passed away, we found various medals and military documents. There were even some swords which had been surrendered to my great-grandfather.
“He was born in Wales, in 1917 but moved around quite a bit before eventually settling in Derbyshire. After the war he went on to become a headmaster at a Derbyshire grammar school. I can’t recall which one but, by all accounts, he was an extremely good head teacher. Some of his former pupils used to write to him.
“The Chinese vase was kept on a mantelpiece at his home at West Hallam for years. Later it took pride of place on a stone hearth in his sitting room alongside other items he’d accumulated on his travels.
“Just before he passed away, he gifted me and my sister some items that he knew we would like such as books and collectables – the Chinese vase being one of them. It has been in my house for over 10 years now, just on the shelf. We’ve tried to find out more about it to no avail.
“We were unsure how valuable it might be and, because our attempts at research had not led to anything, we decided the best thing to do would be to ask Chinese ceramics experts to take a look at it. Our grandparents and great grandparents enjoyed watching Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, on TV antiques shows so we went to him. It’s time for the vase to go a new owner who will truly appreciate it.”
Charles Hanson said: “I was delighted to assist the family. It’s always extremely gratifying when people invite me to assess precious objects like this – and this Chinese vase has a particularly fascinating back story. Provenance is vital and the military history and family memories provide important background information. There is huge appetite for Chinese ceramics among buyers in the Far East and we expect this beautiful vase to spark strong interest.”
The Chinese vase, lot 203, will be offered on June 30 in Hansons Auctioneers’ Fine Art Auction. To find out more, email Isabel Murtough: [email protected].
