An antique porcelain vase, once valued at just a few hundred pounds, has been sold for an astonishing £53 million! This rare piece of art, dating back to the Qing dynasty, spent decades hidden away before its true worth was revealed.
According to details reported by the British newspaper Daily Mail, the vase, initially estimated to be worth no more than a few hundred pounds, was sold for an incredible £53,105,000. The porcelain artifact originates from the mid-18th century during the reign of the Qing dynasty.
The vase’s owners, a British couple, were initially disappointed when it was described as a “very clever reproduction” and valued at only £800. It spent 40 years gathering dust in their home until the couple passed away. In 2010, their relatives rediscovered it and had it re-evaluated, unveiling its remarkable potential.
Experts from Bainbridge Auction House speculated that the vase was “either the best replica in the world or worth millions.”
The family watched in disbelief as the vase's fortunes changed within minutes during the auction. The bidding began modestly, with six in-person bidders and three phone bidders. However, as the price soared into tens of millions, only two bidders remained.
The final sale price reached an extraordinary £43 million from an anonymous buyer. With added VAT and auction fees, the total skyrocketed to £53,105,000.
According to the Daily Mail, the sale set a record for the highest price ever paid for a piece of Chinese art at auction. It is considered one of the most significant Chinese vases to be sold in this century.
