Kempton Park Treasure

Chinese Beijing Enamel Vase – Qinglong

Three weeks ago this very important Asian antique vase was purchased in Sunbury Antique Market, Kempton Park. The vase, a large example of Chinese, Qing period, Beijing enamel work, bearing the seal mark of the Qinglong Emperor (1736 – 1795) and of the period, is 15inches(38cm) high. The square section baluster body is decorated with painted panels containing European subjects.

There is a small amount of superficial damage, currently being restored by an expert.

Purchased for £25.00 ($35.00) by a well-known Portobello Road oriental art dealer, who would like to remain anonymous, although almost everyone in London already seems to know his name, it was provisionally valued by one of the major salerooms at £40,000 – £60,000. However, a quick scan through recent auction results would suggest at least one more zero could safely be added to that valuation.

The purchaser deserves his good luck; he is a Kempton stalwart who has rarely missed a market, even attending on the morning of his son’s birth. When I visited him in Portobello Road on Saturday an endless stream of dealers made reference to his good luck. Some, jokingly, asked to borrow money and, in the case of Asian art dealers who consider themselves “big dealers”, gave sage advice.

Advice though is unnecessary. The lucky purchaser has rarely sold a good object in his dealing career, selling only damaged and restored pieces or insignificant objects and already has his pension tucked away, this vase is just the icing on the cake for him.

Considering the rocketing prices in the salerooms for rare Chinese antique art, in particular Imperial or “mark and period” pieces, he may want to think about holding on to the vase for a few years, even lending it to a museum, to enhance it’s provenance, before selling it.