Sale price of rare Chinese vase causes impression

A rare Chinese vase was found in an attic and marketed for millions. The vase is officially the most costly ever, selling for 53 million pounds, or around $85 million in American dollars. The vase is likely from the late 18th century, and it was found in an attic.

Vase in attic that's Chinese

It is still unknown who the woman and her son was that sold the vase. The Telegraph accounts that her brother left her the vase though. The vase was sitting in the woman’s attic room after her brother inherited it from an uncle, an “adventurer” who brought the vase back from China and left it to his nephew, who left it in turn to his sister. The vase collected dust until the woman put it on top of her bookshelf. At some time she decided to get it appraised. It came out to $1,300 or 800 pounds. The woman was told that the vase was worth much more than that following she took it to the auction house Bainbridges. The vase went all the way back to the 18th century and as it was from the Qing dynasty it likely was part of the royal collection of the Qianlong emperor or Hongli. It bears the royal seal, and was likely fired within the imperial kilns.

Uncommon Chinese vase gets individuals chatting

Many Chinese collectors came to try to purchase the vase at an auction after message got out. A 30 minute bidding war ensued. The gavel fell on the winning bid in excess of 53 million pounds ($85 million U.S.). The Daily Mail explained that the winner had missed out on a rare Chinese vase earlier this year. This Chinese industrialist wasn't about to let that occur again. The auctioneer, Peter Bainbridge, had to bang the gavel so hard that it shattered. Rare Chinese porcelain is incredibly valuable.

Taxman ready

The auction commission cost the family about 9 million pounds. Also, 12 million pounds had to be paid to taxes. This was something the auctioneer was excited to work with. Generally things more than 500 pounds he won't work with.

Data from

Daily Mail

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1329308/53m-Chinese-vase-kept-wobbly-bookcase-insured-just-800.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

The Telegraph

telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/artsales/8129446/Chinese-vase-sale-vendors-to-receive-12m-tax-bill.html