Authentic Qing Dynasty Jars Sell For $25 At A London Thrift Shop
Roseberys LondonThese two 18th-century Qing dynasty jars were purchased at a thrift store in London.
A shopper who purchased a batch of ceramics from a thrift store in London was perusing their new collection when two colorful porcelain jars caught their eye. The small jars were about 4.5 inches tall and featured yellow and red chrysanthemums and lotus flowers.
The buyer spotted blue stamps on the bottom of each jar, did some research, and reached out to an auction house when they realized they had some special thrift store artifacts on their hands. Experts confirmed that they were imperial Chinese jars from the Qing dynasty that were created using the “doucai” technique, which involved an artist painting blue designs on the porcelain before glazing it and adding additional colors on top.
The stamps on the jars turned out to be the seal of Qianlong, a Qing dynasty emperor who ruled from 1735 to 1796.
Roseberys LondonA close-up view of the vase’s details illustrating the doucai technique.
Despite minor cosmetic damage to the jars, it was clear that they were worth a hefty chunk of change. In May 2023, they sold at auction for $74,500.
In an act of gratitude, the seller donated a portion of the proceeds to the charity shop where they originally purchased the precious artifacts.
