A highly rare 18th-century Chinese porcelain vase, purchased by a surgeon in England for a few hundred USD in the 1980s, recently sold at auction for a record-breaking $1.8 million (over 41 billion VND). This amount is ten times higher than expected.
The vase, which is nearly 60 cm tall and adorned with silver and gold, features intricate designs that include cranes, clouds, starlings, fans, and bats. These motifs represent symbols of Taoist beliefs, signifying longevity and prosperity.
Close-up of the “treasure from the Qing Dynasty” that sold for a record price of over 41 billion VND. (Photo: The Guardian).
According to Mark Newstead, a consultant in ceramics and Asian art at the auction house Dreweatts, the combination of gold and silver motifs on the vase is “very difficult to achieve technically.” This uniqueness contributes to the extraordinary nature of the antique.
Experts believe that the artifact was created for the Qing Dynasty court during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the 1700s. It is also suggested that the vase may have been displayed in the main hall of the Forbidden City or one of Emperor Qianlong’s other palaces.
During this emperor’s reign, he quelled several uprisings. However, by the 19th and early 20th centuries, the political situation of the Qing Dynasty became tumultuous as China faced defeats in several wars. This period also saw the looting of many palaces, leading to the dispersal of countless artifacts.
The bottom of the vase bears the seal of the Qing Dynasty Emperor. (Photo: News).
Due to its unusual appearance, the British surgeon purchased the vase. However, the “treasure from the Qing Dynasty” was forgotten in the family’s kitchen in the Midlands for many years. It was not until over a decade later, in the 1990s, when expert Mark Newstead visited the family by chance that it was rediscovered.
“The surgeon bought it for decoration and had no receipt. The vase has a crack in the neck, which is evidence of the craftsmanship of the Qing artisans. They used glazing techniques to cater to the emperor’s preferences,” stated expert Mark Newstead.
However, to this day, historians remain uncertain about its history.
“The antique vase could have been a gift from Emperor Qianlong to an official in the court. In the 20th century, this family may have sold it due to economic hardships. But it is also possible that it was looted from the palace between 1860 and 1901. Perhaps we will never know the truth,” commented Justin Jacobs, a history professor at American University in Washington D.C.
