NEWS
BEST LOCKDOWN FIND: A QING DYNASTY CHINESE WINE EWER WAS SOLD FOR £390,000
By Susan Lewis
25-9-2020
Source: Hansons Auctioneers
A tiny teapot shaped Chinese wine ewer found during a garage clear-out by a Derbyshire builder during lockdown was sold for £390,000 (USD495,300) at an auction held by Hansons Auctioneers in the UK yesterday.
Eight phone bidders from around the world - including UK, China and America - battled to outbid each other, within seconds its original £20,000-£40,000 estimate was smashed.
The item, which almost went to a charity shop, was eventually secured by a London buyer.
The rare Beijing-enamelled object dates back to the Qianlong period (1735-99) of the Qing Dynatsy in China.
Two almost identical Chinese wine ewers, both with Qianlong reign marks, exist in the National Palace Museum in Taipei and the Palace Museum in Beijing.
When the wine ewer was taken to Hansons Auctioneers’ Etwall Auction Centre, near Derby, for free valuation, it sparked international interest.
Source: Hansons Auctioneers
Its owner, a 51-year-old semi-retired construction worker from South Derbyshire, feared the experts might laugh at him when he showed them the tiny pot measuring just 8.5cm in height, 15cm in width and weighing just 362 grams.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “I am absolutely delighted for our vendor. When objects achieve results like this, it’s a potentially life-changing sum for their owners. This is one of the most important objects I’ve ever had the privilege of selling. It has to be the best lockdown find ever. It was found boxed up in a Derbyshire garage and was destined to go to a charity shop.”
The seller said: “I’m thrilled. This will change a few things for us all. It’s come at a really good time. I sat and watched the auction live at home with my brother and family. It was tense. I got a few cans of Guinness in beforehand. We’ll be going for a drink tonight and toasting grandad. I might even buy that metal detector I’ve always wanted.”
The item was believed to have been brought back to England from China by the owner’s grandfather who was stationed in the Far East during the Second World War.
(the writer can be contacted at: info@thewinechronicle.com)
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