500-year-old Chinese vase found in home to fetch thousands at auction

A 400-year-old Ming vase could fetch $27,500 at auction after being discovered on the landing of a UK home during a routine house clearance.

The centuries-old rare porcelain vase, dating back to the Ming Dynasty, which ran between 1368 and 1644, was bought by the current owner's late father in the 1980s.

But rather than being kept away from harm's way, the "museum-quality" treasure was left standing by the stairs for over 40 years at a property in Middlesex.

Antiques expert Chris Kirkham said he was left stunned to discover the 17th-century vase - standing more than half a meter tall - on a routine house call.

It is now expected to fetch between $22,500 and $25,000 when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers' London saleroom this week.

Kirkham, senior valuer for the auctioneers, said: "You never know what treasures might await you when you visit a client's home on a routine valuation but I can tell you I wasn't prepared for this.

"I was simply staggered. It is incredible that this vase has survived unscathed for 400 years.

"It's amazing to think that when this stunning vase was created, at the time of Charles I, British potters were making do with plain earthenware jars.

"At the time, Europeans didn't know the secret recipe for porcelain and were mesmerized by the translucent quality of blue-and-white jars like these, which were as valuable as gold."

Kirkham said in 17th-century China a piece like this would have been used not as decoration, but as a practical storage vessel for anything from pickles to wine.

He added: "In China of the late Ming dynasty even everyday objects were often beautifully decorated.

"This one shows Chinese scholars in long, flowing robes with a topknot hairstyle.

"Scholarly life was very important at the time as success depended on learning rather than birth, as it did in the UK."

It wasn't until the mid-18th century that British potters discovered the secrets of true porcelain.

Kirkham said: "Whether this jar was used by an elite Chinese family 400 years ago, or exported to a wealthy owner in the UK, we may never know.

"But we are delighted to help it on its way to the next phase of its existence whether in a collection or museum."

The vase will be sold at the auctioneers salesroom in Richmond, South London, on Thursday, April 30.

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 12:11 PM.