A charity shop in Hertfordshire turned a £1 purchase into a 19th‑century imperial treasure when a disinterested buyer discovered a yellow vase marked for the Qianlong Emperor. He had no idea of its value, simply drawn to its shape and color. The find surprised him when a sea of bids appeared on eBay.
Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers examined the piece in Stansted Mountfitchet and confirmed its 1735‑1796 provenance. Imperial seals, a poem praising incense, and the phrase “Qianlong chen han” proved it was court‑commissioned. The yellow enamel, reserved for the emperor, added to its rarity.
The vase, eight inches tall and pear‑shaped with a flat back, was designed to mount on a wall rather than stand alone. Its family rose glaze and floral motifs impressed auctioneers. A Chinese buyer secured it with a hammer price of £380,000, and after fees the total reached £484,000. The collector in Hong Kong said the purchase was life‑changing.
Qianlong reigned from 1735 to 1796 and left a legacy of exquisite porcelain. This vase embodies that legacy, with inscriptions that read “Weijing weiyi” and “be precise, be undivided.”
The vase now sits in a private collection in Hong Kong, an unexpected trophy for a charity shop shopper. Its story will likely spark renewed interest in overlooked antiques.