A rare Chinese ginger jar valued between $1,200 and $1,900 is up for auction in the UK

A ginger jar without a lid that was formerly thought to be just regular blue-and-white pottery was discovered to be a 300-year-old Chinese jewel. Paul Fox, a valuer at Hanson Holloway’s Auctioneers in Banbury, saw the 9-inch ceramic pot among other things on show at an Oxfordshire farmhouse. It was amidst a collection of plates and bowls manufactured in Staffordshire and Copeland, according to SWNS.

Captivated by the vivid blue color, Fox conveyed his curiosity and requested permission to investigate the ginger jar further. The anonymous owner had tucked the jar in among less precious dishes and plates, perhaps thinking it was nothing special.

Official verification has been provided by experts confirming that the ginger jar was made during the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1661–1722).

The 17th-century artwork, which is expected to fetch between $1,200 and $1,900 (Rs 99,000 and Rs 1.5 Lakh) at Hanson Holloway’s the following month, was first disregarded by its owner. It is painted a cobalt blue color and has floral themes among leafy scrollwork. Notably, Adam Schoon, Hanson’s Asian consultant, contributed his knowledge to the value by identifying the inky-blue pattern as typical of the Kangxi era.

Examining the jar with satisfaction, Schoon predicted that it would do well at auction, particularly since Far Eastern collectors are keen to bring back pieces of this kind. Fox described it as a “remarkable farmhouse find,” emphasizing the prosperous period of pottery made of blue and white under Kangxi’s rule.

The popularity of blue-and-white ceramics in China, he suggested, was supported by the fact that King William III of England had a sizable collection at Hampton Court Palace. According to Fox, the color blue has great meaning in Chinese culture, signifying development and progress as well as the element of wood. Particularly appealing to the Chinese court and the Emperor himself was Kingfisher Blue.

On February 3, Hanson Holloway’s Banbury Fine Art and Antiques auction will include the Chinese ginger jar up for bid. Fox stresses the benefit of having artifacts assessed and exhorts people to reevaluate their antiques and heirlooms. He emphasized that a lot of individuals can have priceless items hidden away—possibly inherited—without appreciating their value. Fox said that the owner, who at first thought of the ginger jar as simply another piece of blue-and-white porcelain, was pleasantly surprised by its unexpected worth.