One of the greatest pleasures of my work is discovering something exceptional in the most ordinary of surroundings. A rare antique does not always arrive wrapped in tissue paper or accompanied by an impressive family history.
More often, it has been sitting quietly on a mantelpiece, tucked inside a cabinet or simply regarded as part of the furniture. That is precisely why our valuation days remain so important. They give people the opportunity to place familiar possessions in front of a specialist and occasionally reveal that an everyday object is anything but ordinary.
A wonderful example of this happened last month, when a Chinese blue-and-white porcelain altar candlestick was discovered by Asian art expert Adam Schoon at a valuation day in Derby. Standing just 23.5cm high, it bore a four-character Yongzheng mark, referring to the emperor who ruled China from 1723 to 1735.
However, careful examination indicated that the candlestick was made in the early 19th century, when skilled Chinese potters were producing finely crafted pieces inspired by earlier imperial wares. Far from diminishing its appeal, its elegant proportions, intricate decoration and historical references attracted serious international interest. Estimated at £1,000, it sparked a global bidding battle and ultimately sold for £4,000.
The decoration included the Eight Treasures of Buddhism, symbols traditionally associated with prosperity, wisdom, harmony and spiritual blessing. Candlesticks of this type would have formed part of a carefully arranged scholar’s table or domestic altar, alongside incense burners and other devotional objects.
Another intriguing Chinese discovery has now appeared at Hansons Norfolk saleroom. A rare and striking pair of 250-year-old porcelain ladies, each holding a tall candle vase, were brought along to a valuation event, again with Adam Schoon, after spending many years in a private, family home.
Decorated with intricate flowers, flowing robes and delicate faces, they possess all the charm and presence collectors seek in decorative Chinese porcelain. They both represent the extraordinary global trade that connected the Qing Dynasty with fashionable homes in Georgian Britain.
You can almost imagine them standing proudly on a mantelpiece in a drawing room while guests admired these exotic treasures from the other side of the world. I always enjoy objects such as these because they connect two worlds. They were made to delight the eye, yet they also offer glimpses of changing fashions, craftsmanship and cultural exchange.
Their condition, age, decoration and provenance will all play a part when bidders decide their worth. The exquisite pair will be offered in the Hansons Norfolk Antiques, Art, Silver and Jewellery Auction at 10am on Saturday, August 1st with bidding available both in the room and online.
So, before you dismiss that vase, figurine or dusty ornament as merely decorative, take another look. The antiques world is full of surprises, and the next remarkable discovery may already be sitting quietly in your home. If you would like our experts to advise you, contact your local Hansons saleroom. See our saleroom locations using the button below.
