Never ignore inherited antiques gathering dust because they just might be worth a fortune – like a ‘doorstop’ vase which sold for £650,000 at auction.
All types of antiques excel under the hammer but demand is particularly strong for Chinese and oriental ceramics and works of art, according to Hansons Auctioneers. Wealthy collectors from the Far East are keen to celebrate their artistic heritage and repatriate important antiques. This means rare objects can – and do – achieve life-changing amounts under the hammer.
For example, an 18th century Chinese vase set a record hammer price of £650,000 at Hansons in 2016 after being used as a doorstep for 36 years. The rare Qianlong vase had also been the centre of childhood ball games and almost ended up at a car boot sale.
A man who can tell you if your antique is special is Fine and Asian Art consultant Adam Schoon – and he’s coming to Derbyshire. The familiar face from TV’s Antiques Road Show will offer free valuations on April 15, 10am-4pm, at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, near Derby.
Adam, a member of The Oriental Ceramic Society of London and an antiques consultant for 40 years, said: “It’s always incredibly exciting to handle and evaluate important objects like the Qianlong vase. It was spotted in a hallway at a Midlands bungalow during a routine home visit. Apparently, the owners had wondered if it might be valuable. Luckily, because it was big and heavy, it remained in use as a doorstop and survived to spark a bidding war among wealthy Chinese collectors.
“It was inherited in the 1980s from a great aunt who acquired it in the 1920s while working as an antiques dealer in Cornwall. It bore the mark of Emperor Qianlong who ruled in the 18th century. It would have been made for one of the imperial palaces and its decoration was likely inspired by artists working on porcelain in the Yongzheng period (1723-1735).
“Important examples of Chinese porcelain found their way to Britain in the 19th century and wealthy collectors in the Far East are well aware. They keep a keen eyes on UK auctions and scour online catalogues for rare treasures. Fine objects of this calibre are invariably inherited. They can languish for decades, forgotten and ignored, their importance unknown.”
Though highly valuable items don’t crop up every day Hansons uncovers examples every year. In 2017 an Emperor Yongzheng Chinese plate, circa 1723-1735, sold for £230,000 after being found in a South Derbyshire kitchen cupboard. Some 19 phone bidders battled to own it after it emerged replicas existed at the National Museum of China and the Guangdong Museum in China.
It was left to three Derbyshire siblings by their gran. She herself inherited it from a wealthy ancestor called Alexander Robertson. The Scotsman made his fortune in America and acquired fine antiques. When he died in 1922 his treasures were shipped to Edinburgh, divided among relatives and subsequently passed down through the generations.
Inherited treasures at home such as Asian art, ceramics or jade?
Adam Schoon will offer free valuations on April 15, 10am-4pm, at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire.
To book an appointment for this or any type of antique, silver or jewellery valuation, email [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
