A giant 400-year-old Ming vase found on the landing of a Middlesex home could make £22,000 at auction in Richmond.
Senior valuer Chris Kirkham from Hansons Auctioneers’ London saleroom was stunned to discover the broad vase – standing more than half a metre tall – on a routine house call.
He said: “You never know what treasures might await you when you visit a client’s home on a routine valuation, but I can tell you I wasn’t prepared for this. I was simply staggered. It is incredible that this vase has survived unscathed for 400 years.”
The rare porcelain vase, dating to the later Ming period had been bought by the vendor’s late father in the 1980s.
But rather than kept away from harm’s way, the museum-quality treasure was standing by the stairs.
Chris continued: “It’s amazing to think that when this stunning vase was created, at the time of Charles I, British potters were making do with plain earthenware jars.
“At the time, Europeans didn’t know the secret recipe for porcelain and were mesmerised by the translucent quality of blue-and-white jars like these, which were as valuable as gold.”
In 17th century China a piece like this would have been used not as decoration, but as a practical storage vessel for anything from pickles to wine.
Chris said: “In China of the late Ming dynasty even everyday objects were often beautifully decorated. This one shows Chinese scholars in long, flowing robes with a topknot hairstyle. Scholarly life was very important at the time as success depended on learning rather than birth, as it did in the UK.”
It wasn’t until the mid-18th century that British potters discovered the secrets of true porcelain.
Chris said: “Whether this jar was used by an elite Chinese family 400 years ago, or exported to a wealthy owner in the UK, we may never know. But we are delighted to help it on its way to the next phase of its existence whether in a collection or museum.”
The vase has a guide price of £18,000-£22,000 at Hansons Auctioneers’ Richmond saleroom on April 30.
Auction Details
Auction: Hansons London Silver, Jewellery, Watches & Collectables Auction
Auction date: 30th April 2026 | 10am
Location: Hanson’s London Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
