A Chinese pot went under the hammer at HRD Auction Rooms in Brading this morning (Tuesday) for a staggering £152,000 – despite having an estimate of just £300-500.
The early 19th-century porcelain pot was described in the catalogue as an old and circular pot with cover featuring a decorative floral design and turquoise interior, measuring 21cm in diameter. The pot, with good character markings, came complete with a decorative carved wooden stand.
It wasn’t long until it became clear that bidding was going well above the estimate, with the price continuing to climb. The gavel finally came down at £152,000 – but the buyer will have to pay a Buyer’s Premium taking the total amount to £182,400. A round of applause filled the room.
Warren Riches of HRD Auction Rooms has explained to Island Echo that the rare colouration and shape of the pot, as well as its immaculate condition, is what led to the high sale price. He also explained that Chinese porcelain is a fickle and difficult area of expertise to get right in terms of estimating its value.
A second bowl – imperial yellow in colour with a good character mark – also sold at auction today for £42,000. It was guided at just £150-250 and described as being 17cm in diameter depicting scrollwork flowers with a Reign Mark to the base.
It is thought that the bowls will almost certainly be going into the hands of a private collector.
Also from the same Isle of Wight estate as the 2 previously mentioned lots was a pair of miniature cloisonne baluster vases, measuring just 11cm tall. They were guided at £200-300 and sold for £12,000.
Warren says:
“It’s great for the business to be able to bounce back in such a good way after being shut for almost 2 years during the COVID pandemic”.
Sorry, but with those prices well exceeding the estiamte, the valuations team clearly didn’t know what they had in their hands.
I thought the same……I don’t think I could ever trust their valuation when they are so far off the mark. A tad embarrassing for the “expert” who valued it!
Going through my cupboards as I type …..
So far no good !!!!
Will keep looking lol …..
Miss Sensible love your answer.
Miss Sensible love your comment
Christ makes you wonder if you put anything in there they got it right?
I have a Chinese Tea pot that dates back to the 1700, would you like me send some pictures
For the Chinese market for sure and they will pay much more for it
How did the Auctioneer come up with the reserve prices? They seem exceptionally low, considering the sale prices. Other auctioneers are available and may get it more correct, if your lucky. Not sure this one knows what he is up to, when pricing up items.
Is there other auctioneers on the Island?
Is Tupperware old Chinese ?
HRD auction house couldn’t estimate the price of anything, I took a painting there once and they said £10, I got it valued on the mainland and was offered £5000 to take it off my hands, which I took it later sold for £11,000
They refused me entry on quite a few occasions when other people where in the auction house.
I took a hundred year old painting by a famous artist and they offered me 20.00.
Odd fellow I found him rude to be honest.
So much for the “experts”
I had an antique lamp which they said was not able to be valued and couldn’t be auctioned for some reason.. a private dealer in London offered me £8500 immediately… seems like a bunch of guess work armatures if you ask me
I think people are being a little unfair. It is worth what somebody will pay, if you have avid collectors with a certain interest it will end up higher than the estimate.. Look at the one today
with a well thought of auction house item estimate £150000 went for 1.2 million. All about demand.