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Gran’s shock as ‘charity shop’ vase hidden for 11 years sells for $156,000

May 14, 2018

The antique vase was kept in a garage for years. Source: eastbourneauction.com.

A grandmother has shared her delight after a vase she kept hidden in her garage for 11 years sold for £87,000 (AU$156,000) – despite her getting within hours of dropping it at a charity shop.

UK woman Anne Beck, 83, inherited the ornately decorated vase from her grandfather, who had initially intended to repair it. However, too embarrassed to show it off, she kept it hidden away, the Express reports.

Finally, during a clear out, she decided to take it to a charity shop to get rid of it for good. However, having stopped in at an auctioneer’s valuation day with some more possessions, she mentioned the vase in her car – and was reportedly persuaded to enter it in to a sale.

While the vase was initially advertised on Eastbourne Auctions’ website with an estimate of between £90 to £120, it eventually sold to a German-based Chinese buyer for $156,000 with all fees included.

Rather than a battered old vase, like Beck had first thought, the stunning piece actually dated back to the 18th century and was made for a Chinese emperor, the site reports. However, more shockingly still, experts reportedly said it could have gone for up to £500 million if it hadn’t been damaged.

The antique vase dates back to the 18th Century. Source: eastbourneauction.com.

“After I consigned it for auction I thought that £100 would be nice,” Beck told the publication. “So I was absolutely amazed when I found out what it sold for. I couldn’t quite believe it. I had a sit down and a cup of coffee afterwards but am still in a bit of a daze now.”

She now hopes to spend some of her money on her family, including two children and four grandchildren, while donating some to charity.

The vase is described on the auction website as: “Chinese porcelain vase, finely hand painted in the famille rose palette with figures and a river landscape, the borders with flower heads amongst foliate scrolls, six figure character marks to the base, 32.5cm high.”

It had initially sold for £70,000, but with the fees included it shot up again to the £87,000.

Jeanette May, of Eastbourne Auctions, added: “Our assistant went out and saw it rattling around on the back seat and said ‘oh that’s nice.’ He knew it was good but didn’t realise just how good.”