Giant Qing Porcelain Dish Found Under London Sofa Expected to Fetch £30,000
A rare imperial Chinese porcelain dish, made for Beijing's Forbidden City and brought to Britain in the early 20th century, was discovered under a family's sofa and is now set for auction.
A significant piece of Chinese imperial history, a large Qing Dynasty porcelain dish crafted for Beijing's Forbidden City, is expected to command a price of up to £30,000 at auction after being discovered in a north London home. The dish, measuring two feet wide and weighing 30 pounds, had been stored under a family's living room sofa.
The rare artifact was brought to Britain by Chinese immigrant Wing Lung Goo in the early 20th century and has remained within his family for generations. Its recent rediscovery came after a descendant contacted auctioneers, providing photographs that piqued the interest of Asian art specialist John Axford.
Axford, known for his appearances on BBC's Antiques Roadshow, noted the dish's unusual size and weight. Upon closer examination, he identified a four-character seal mark on its underside, translating to 'made for the Chuxiu Palace,' also known as the 'Palace of Assembled Elegance,' a significant location within the Forbidden City.
He concluded that the dish was likely produced in the 1880s to commemorate the birthday of Empress Dowager Cixi. The family likely kept it hidden due to its considerable dimensions, making it impractical to display. "We are not exactly sure why the dish was kept under a sofa for decades but it could be that it was too big for them to hang on a wall or display," Axford stated.
After cleaning, the dish revealed its intricate decoration, featuring Imperial yellow enamel with green and aubergine elements. It is adorned with two confronting dragons chasing a flaming pearl amidst clouds and flames, with a floral border and additional dragons around the rim. A spokesperson for auctioneers Woolley & Wallis highlighted that the dish is believed to be a unique example, featuring a glazed yellow base.
"To discover an Imperial dish of such monumental scale in near pristine condition and learn that it was stored beneath a living room sofa in London is truly extraordinary," Axford commented.
The dish is scheduled to be sold on November 10. Its provenance, association with Empress Dowager Cixi's court, exceptional size, and potentially unique glazed base make it one of the most significant examples of late Qing palace porcelain to surface in recent years.
Sources
- www.dailymail.com - Giant Qing porcelain dish worth £30,000 which was made for Beijing's Forbidden City is found under family's sofa in north London home
- www.dailymail.com - Giant Qing porcelain dish worth £30,000 which was made for Beijing's Forbidden City is found under family's sofa in north London home