Tiny teapot found in Derbyshire garage gathering dust sells for £390,000

A tiny Chinese teapot that spent decades gathering dust in a Derbyshire garage has become the ‘best lockdown find ever’ after selling for a staggering £390,000 at auction.
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The imperial Beijing-enamelled wine ewer had been left in a garage in Church Gresley after being boxed up many years ago.

But, after unearthing the object during a lockdown clear-out at his Derbyshire home, the 51-year-old owner was stunned to be told the small 15cm-tall pot was a rare imperial Chinese antique dating back to the Qianlong period between 1735 and 1799.

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It was expected to fetch around £100,000 at auction, but almost quadrupled on the valuation when it sold for £390,000 at Hansons Auctioneers in Derby on September 24.

Hansons valuer Edward Rycroft with the imperial Chinese wine ewer - SWNSHansons valuer Edward Rycroft with the imperial Chinese wine ewer - SWNS
Hansons valuer Edward Rycroft with the imperial Chinese wine ewer - SWNS

The anonymous seller, a construction worker from Swadlincote, said: “I’m thrilled. This will change a few things for us all. It’s come at a really good time.

“I sat and watched the auction live at home with my brother and family. It was tense.

“I got a few cans of Guinness in beforehand. We’ll be going for a drink tonight and toasting grandad.

“I might even buy that metal detector I’ve always wanted.”

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The valuable teapot goes back many years in the seller’s family, with it expected to have arrived in Derbyshire during the Second World War.

However, he certainly did not anticipate how much it would be worth now.

He said: “The teapot has been in my family as long as I can remember. My mum used to display it in a cabinet.

“We believe it was brought back to England by my grandfather who was stationed in the Far East during the Second World War and was awarded a Burma Star.

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“Mum passed away 17 years ago, then dad nine years ago and the teapot ended up in a loft in Newhall.

“Later it was boxed up and moved to a relative’s garage in Church Gresley. We’d been thinking of sending everything to a charity shop.

“But then lockdown came along and I finally had time to go through the boxes in the garage.

“I’d always thought the teapot, which is what I’ve always called it, was special.

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“Even so, when I took it to Hansons I was still unsure so dug out a few other bits and pieces for them to value in case they laughed at me when I pulled out the teapot.”

Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: “I am absolutely delighted for our vendor. When objects achieve results like this, it’s a potentially life-changing sum for their owners.

“This is one of the most important objects I’ve ever had the privilege of selling.

“It has to be the best lockdown find ever. It was found boxed up in a Derbyshire garage and was destined to go to a charity shop.

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“Ewers and teapots of this type were fashionable at court during the period of Emperor Qianlong.

“He was fascinated by European enamel and the new method of enamel painting and the style was replicated in his imperial workshops.

“During Emperor Qianlong’s reign this art form reached heady heights of perfection, with designs reflecting the emperor's extravagant taste.”