The magnificent imperial vase which languished for years in a kitchen.
(Photo:Dreweatts)
Who doesn’t dream about stumbling on a trove of fabulous, valuable artwork?
Eventually, it passed to his son.
The magnificent imperial vase which languished for years in a kitchen. (Photo:Dreweatts)
It is decorated with clouds, palms, and cranes in silver and gilt (gold).
These are symbols from Taoism (or Daoism), the philosophy and religion popular in 18th-century China.
The Qianlong Emperor ruled from 1735 to 1796.
Detail of a crane in gold. (Photo:Dreweatts)
A member of the powerful Qing Dynasty of China, he is one of the longest-reigning rulers in history.
The vase is a shocking find, but a delight for an auction house.
A UK man discovered the vase in his kitchen was actually a valuable Qianlong-era Chinese antique.
The six-character mark of the Qianlong period on the base of the vase. (Photo:Dreweatts)
Detail of a crane in gold.
The six-character mark of the Qianlong period on the base of the vase.
(Photo:Dreweatts)
The vase fetched $1.8 million at auction.
The Qianlong Emperor, who lived from 1711-99 (r. 1735-96), painted by Giuseppe Castiglione. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
The Qianlong Emperor, who lived from 1711-99 (r. 1735-96), painted by Giuseppe Castiglione.
