Newcastle auctioneers amazed as Chinese bowls valued at £400 sell for £325,000

A pair of Chinese bowls has sold for £325,000 after fierce bidding at a Newcastle auction.

Originally listed for sale with an estimation of £200-£400 due to their condition, bidding “soared to way above the imaginable”, according to auctioneers Anderson & Garland. The bowls were put up for auction by a seller in Hexham.

Nigel Smith, head of Asian art and ceramics at Anderson & Garland, described the bowls’ sale as “a staggering result.”

He said: “Due to their damage, we very, very conservatively estimated their value so it was phenomenal seeing the amount of interest and the price just climb and climb. I am delighted to have been able to obtain the fourth highest sale price in Anderson & Garland’s history.”

The pair of Qing bowls, each finely decorated with dragons amongst cloud scrolls and stylised waves rocketed above their estimate in a 30-minute battle between multiple international telephone and internet bidders. The bowls were each stamped within a squared border with six character Yongzheng marks.

In the same sale, a 12th century Song Dynasty tortoiseshell glazed stoneware jar with an estimate of £15,000-£20,000 - from a different seller - sold for £46,800 including fees.

It was discovered during a local valuation visit on the Northumbrian coast and had been in the same private family collection for over 75 years. It was sold with an original copy of an Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition catalogue from 1952 illustrating the piece, and with original paper exhibition labels of the Royal Academy of Arts International Exhibition of Chinese Art, 1935-36 in London.

Made as a decorative piece of grain measure, the stoneware piece measures just 11cms high and has survived the last 900 years” in incredible condition” according to the auction house.

“Discovering this exquisite 12th century Northern Song Dynasty stoneware jar in Northumberland was a rare and exciting moment,” said Mr Smith. “Its tortoiseshell glaze and remarkable condition are a testament to the craftsmanship of the era and the care it has received over centuries.

“Pieces like this, especially with such an intriguing provenance and exhibition history, rarely come to market. We were thrilled to bring it to auction, and anticipated strong interest from collectors around the world.”