In the world of antiques, “picking up a bargain” essentially means using your keen eye to buy something for a fraction of its true worth, sometimes fetching tens, hundreds, or even thousands of times more than what you paid. This is the allure of antiquities. Today, let’s take a look at the top ten legendary finds in the Chinese antique world.
1. Xi Jia Pan
The “Xi Jia Pan” is a round dish with decorative patterns along the rim and a missing base ring. Inside the dish, 133 characters are inscribed, recounting the Zhou Xuanwang’s campaign against the Xianyun tribe and his subsequent rewards.
Unearthed during the Song Dynasty, the “Xi Jia Pan” was later bought by Yuan Dynasty official Li Shunfu from a farmer. Unaware of its value, Li’s family used it as a simple pastry dish, effectively ruining a priceless treasure.
Prime Minister Xianyu Shu of the Yuan Dynasty discovered this dish by chance at Li’s home. Upon careful inspection, he concluded it was an ancient artifact and decided to keep it.
After passing through various collectors over the centuries, the “Xi Jia Pan” ended up with prominent collector Chen Jieqi in the late Qing Dynasty. This was the last recorded mention of the dish until it vanished for several decades.
In 2010, a Chinese-American collector stumbled upon the bronze piece at a small auction. Fascinated by its inscriptions, particularly the phrase “Xi Jia Ji Fu follows the king’s command,” he realized he had found the long-lost “Xi Jia Pan.” He bought it for an undisclosed amount (rumored to be between tens of thousands and 1.8 million, but undeniably worth every penny).
On July 15, 2017, at the Xiling Yinshe auction, the “Western Zhou Dynasty Xi Jia Pan” sold for 185 million RMB, with the final price, including commission, reaching 212.75 million RMB.
2. Yuan Dynasty Blue and White Plum Vase
According to the Yangzhou Museum website and expert Feng Xianming, there are only six known Yuan Dynasty blue and white plum vases with dragon patterns. One is in the Guimet Museum in France, another in the Summer Palace in Beijing, and the third in the Yangzhou Museum, which is about ten centimeters taller than the others.
The vase’s original owner was Mr. Zhu Liheng, a retired worker from Yangzhou Light Industry Machinery Factory. This national treasure was passed down through his family for six generations.
During the 1976 earthquake, fearing it would be damaged, Zhu secretly sold it to an antique store for 18 yuan after a quick appraisal.
For a long time, the local antique store, unfamiliar with Yuan Dynasty porcelain, thought it was a late Qing piece and kept it in the store without much attention.
Years later, Mr. Shen Shengli, working at the Shanghai Foreign Trade Company, noticed the vase during a visit to the store. He doubted its late Qing origin.
After further examination by porcelain expert Zhou Changyuan, the vase caught the attention of the academic world. Ultimately, the piece was identified as a Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain from the Jingdezhen kiln by two leading experts, Feng Xianming from the Palace Museum and Wang Zhimin from the Southern Museum.
In 1978, during an exhibition of collected artifacts from various provinces, the Yangzhou vase made its debut, drawing significant interest from museums nationwide. Supported by the local government, the Yangzhou Museum secured the vase for 3,000 yuan.
Later, a Hong Kong collector offered 340 million yuan for the vase, a Japanese collector 3 billion yuan, and a French collector even bid 4 billion yuan. However, all offers were declined.
3. Qianlong’s Silk Dhāraṇī Sutra Cover
The silk dhāraṇī sutra cover of Emperor Qianlong was reportedly stolen by tomb raider Sun Dianying.
In 2005, a tattered yellow silk robe was displayed at an auction. It failed to attract bids and was soon withdrawn.
However, Mr. Qin, intrigued by the robe’s faint patterns and hidden inscriptions, gathered 90,000 yuan by borrowing from friends and family to buy it the next day.
Three years later, in January 2008, the robe was auctioned at the first auction of the year at Beijing Huadu Hotel. The “Qianlong Silk Dhāraṇī Sutra Cover” became the highlight of the event.
The robe sold for 65 million yuan, with the buyer spending approximately 72 million yuan, including commission.
In 2010, the sutra cover reappeared at a Zhongmei Hongkaiwei auction and was sold for 130 million yuan.
4. Ju Shi Tie
“Ju Shi Tie” is the only known surviving piece of calligraphy by Zeng Gong, one of the “Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song.” This 124-character letter was written by Zeng Gong at the age of 62 and has been passed down through many notable collectors, with its authenticity confirmed by expert Xu Bangda in “A Comprehensive Record of Ancient Calligraphy and Painting.”
One day, Zhang Heng, a member of the Palace Museum’s appraisal committee, found “Ju Shi Tie” about to be burned as firewood at a farmer’s house.
Being a calligrapher and an expert in art appraisal, Zhang was certain it was not an ordinary item, even if he couldn’t verify its authenticity at the time.
He bought the letter for 10 silver dollars. Years later, facing financial difficulties, Zhang sold “Ju Shi Tie.”
On November 22, 2009, at the Beijing Poly auction, Zeng Gong’s “Ju Shi Tie” sold for 108 million yuan, breaking the record for Chinese calligraphy at auction.
On May 15, 2016, at China Guardian’s spring auction, “Ju Shi Tie” was the most anticipated lot, eventually purchased by Wang Zhongjun, chairman of Huayi Brothers Media, for 207 million yuan.
5. Ping An Tie
In the 1950s, a collector was browsing the Liulichang antique market in Beijing when he spotted an ancient piece of calligraphy.
After some haggling, the collector bought the piece for just 5 yuan, recognizing its unusual quality and instructing his children to keep it as a family heirloom.
The piece turned out to be “Ping An Tie” by Wang Xizhi, also known as “Gao Jiang Dao Tie.” Although not Wang Xizhi’s original work, it was a valuable Tang-Song era copy, making it highly prized.
On November 20, 2010, at China Guardian’s autumn auction, “Ping An Tie” garnered significant attention and was eventually sold for a record-breaking 308 million yuan to collector Liu Yiqian.
Despite the high auction price, the transaction was not completed until five years later, when Liu finally acquired the piece.
6. Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cup
Porcelain expert Qiu Yanzhi moved to Hong Kong in 1949 to pursue his career. Once settled, he headed straight to the antique market.
There, he found a pair of Chenghua Doucai chicken cups.
After carefully examining the cups, he felt a connection and bought them for 1,000 HKD.
In 1980, Qiu passed away, leaving his vast collection to Sotheby’s for auction.
In December 1980, at Sotheby’s London auction, the Chenghua Doucai chicken cup sold for 5.28 million HKD, setting a world record for Chinese porcelain at the time.
On July 19, 2014, Shanghai collector Liu Yiqian bought the cup from Sotheby’s Hong Kong for over 280 million HKD.
7. Songyang Han Bai Tu
In September 2009, collector Zhu Yun and his brother brought the family heirloom “Songyang Han Bai Tu” to the “Hua Yu Zhi Men” treasure-hunting show, where expert Liu Yan had ulterior motives.
Recognizing it as the long-lost Qing Dynasty painting by Emperor Qianlong, Liu falsely claimed it was a fake.
As the brothers left dejectedly, Liu offered to introduce a knowledgeable buyer for a high price, ultimately buying the painting himself for 170,000 yuan.
In 2010, Zhu Yun’s brother saw news of the painting auctioned by Beijing Poly for 87 million yuan, realizing it was the same painting Liu had bought.
After repeatedly confronting Liu with no result, the brothers filed a lawsuit in Zhengzhou, exposing Liu’s fraudulent scheme.
8. Yongle Underglaze Red Dragon Vase
The Ming Dynasty Yongle underglaze red dragon vase was bought by Mr. Zhao’s father in the 1980s in Europe for a few hundred pounds, drawn by its quality and charm.
In March 2021, a Hong Kong collector bought it from Mr. Zhao for 80,000 yuan. Just over a month later, the collector resold it for 30 million HKD.
In 2021, at China Guardian’s autumn auction, the vase sold for 74.75 million yuan, skyrocketing from 80,000 to over 70 million yuan in under a year.
9. Landscape Painting Album
In 2010, collector Mr. Hang from Yangzhou bought a collection of eight paintings, including Zheng Banqiao’s “Thin Bamboo,” for 780,000 yuan on a friend’s recommendation.
The collection also included works by renowned painters Lang Shining, Yan Bolong, and Qian Weicheng.
The centerpiece, a small album by Qian Weicheng titled “Landscape Painting Album,” particularly delighted Mr. Hang.
He immediately sought an appraisal from expert Mr. Jiang, who revealed that Zheng Banqiao’s “Thin Bamboo” was a high-quality replica. Despite his disappointment, Mr. Hang was thrilled to discover that “Landscape Painting Album” was a national treasure worth 20 million yuan.
10. Chenghua Imitation Ru Ware Elephant Ear Censer
Museum curator Ma Weidu once spotted a porcelain piece in an antique shop. After examining it, he haggled with the owner, claiming it was a late Qing imitation.
The owner, thinking it was indeed a Qing Dynasty piece, sold it for 80,000 yuan. Ma bought it for 70,000 yuan.
Ma later revealed it to be an authentic Chenghua-period imitation Ru ware censer, a rare and priceless piece.
This censer became one of the four treasures of the Guanfu Museum, with its value deemed immeasurable.
Many of Ma Weidu’s collections were acquired through such fortunate finds, making him a legendary figure in the antique world.
