Incredible £1m discovery of Chinese jade treasures that sat in family's display cabinet for generations

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated:


A family has made an incredible discovery at the back of their display cabinet after uncovering crockery worth an estimated £1million.

The specialist who went to look at the intricately designed collection of pottery said the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end when he realised what the family had uncovered.

One cup and saucer, carved with recumbent stags and made from the purest white jade could fetch £250,000 on its own.

It is believed they were made for The 18th century Chinese emperor Qianlong and kept at the Summer Palace in Peking. They were acquired by Captain James Gunter after the palace was looted in 1860.

£250,000: This tiny cup and saucer alone are expected to fetch a quarter of a million pounds

£250,000: This tiny cup and saucer alone are expected to fetch a quarter of a million pounds

The markets are currently so strong that objects from the East are being aggressively bid for by the newly rich elite in the Communist regime wanting to buy back their heritage.

Guy Schwinge, from Duke's of Dorchester, was called in by the current owners of the pottery to value the items.

Mr Schwinge said: 'When I arrived at the house and was shown into the sitting room, I was not sure what I was going to see.

'We discussed the market for Chinese works of art over a cup of coffee and the results we had achieved at our recent Melplash Court sale which included many Chinese art works.

'The family then began to pull the most stunning pieces of jade from the back of a display cabinet in the corner of the room.

£100,000: A watch believed to be given to Chinese emperor Qianlong by British King George III

£100,000: A watch believed to be given to Chinese emperor Qianlong by British King George III

'I was stunned by quality and number of pieces of jade that emerged from the cabinet. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

'Yellow jade is the most sought after and the collection includes a wonderful pendant - or plaque - made from it.

'It is carved in the archaistic style with a dragon and the pendant is not only of exceptional quality, but it is carved from a piece of yellow jade of outstanding colour.

Among the items was a yellow jade pendant, or placque, carved in the archaistic style with a dragon, expected to fetch over £150,000.

One of two jade vases could bring £100,000 while a watch, thought to be presented to the emperor from our own King George III, is believed to be worth £100,000.

£150,000: Yellow jade is particularly sought after and this pendant is expected to fetch the second largest sum in the collection

£150,000: Yellow jade is particularly sought after and this pendant is expected to fetch the second largest sum in the collection

The watch was made by the famed William Anthony who specialised in producing watches for the export markets, particularly China.

Among the items there are also ivory chopsticks, a jade box, jade chime, jade bowl and a jadeite belt hook.

Qianlong was known to have a high regard for European art, especially watches.

Mr Schwinge added: 'The cup and saucer are from white jade - which is the most desirable after yellow jade - and the cup measures 4.5 inches across the handles.

'It is carved with recumbent stags and has an exceptional translucent quality and a lustrous polish consistent with the finest Qianlong jades.

£100,000: Intricately decorated, this vase is one of two that the family has put up for sale

£100,000: Intricately decorated, this vase is one of two that the family has put up for sale

'The stag symbolises longevity and it is said to be the only animal capable of finding the sacred 'fungus of immortality'.

'In Chinese art the deer is often depicted with court officials and it is said that this signifies a wish for fame, recognition and a long successful career.'

The family that lives modestly near Bournemouth in Dorset is not thought to be directly descended from Cpt Gunter.

Although they were aware that the pieces were good, they had no idea what price they might command at auction.

The Old Summer Palace, known in China as The Gardens of Perfect Brightness, or Yuan Ming Yuan, was a complex of palaces and gardens in Peking - now Beijing.

It is located five miles northwest of the walls of the Imperial City and it is where the Emperors of the Qing Dynasty - including Qianlong - lived and handled government affairs.

It was raided by an Anglo-French force in 1860. The jade will be sold by Duke's on May 19.

 

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