Our ‘garden ornament’ is worth up to £100,000
FAMILY AUCTIONS CANNON AFTER LEARNING OF ITS RARITY AND VALUE
ANORTH Wales family who had an old cannon in their garden didn’t know it could be worth £100,000.
The unnamed residents, originally from Anglesey, had used the military relic as a garden ornament.
It was only when an auctioneer arrived to value other items at their home that he spotted the weapon and revealed its significance.
The family, who had had the cannon through the generations for about 120 years, had taken it with them when they moved from North Wales to Dorchester in Dorset.
The owners, who are remaining anonymous, were to sell it at auction last week.
The five-and-a-half feet long object was among 770 lots in a sale called Asian Art, but it remained unsold.
A description on the Duke’s of Dorchester auctioneers website stated that it is a rare Chinese bronze cannon from the Qianlong period, dated 1789.
The auctioneers added: “The cannon was acquired by a military family in the early 20th century and thence by descent.”
Lee Young, Duke’s Managing Director and Head of Asian Art, called the discovery “incredibly rare” especially in the UK as such militaria are rarely seen outside Asia.
He said: “You can see these a lot in places like Beijing but they are not things that will often find back from China.
“So, to see it in garden [in the UK] prise.”
It has an estimated value of £60,000£100,000.
Mr Young said there was still a great deal of interest in these items despite coronavirus restrictions forcing many people to follow sales remotely.
Duke’s said the cannon bears an inscription dating to the third month their way
someone’s back is a bit of a surof the Qianlong 54th year (1789) and is from the Guo Xing Fu merchants club.
Guo Xing Fu was in charge of the maritime trade across south east China.
Duke’s added: “All foreign merchants bought Chinese export cargoes into Xiamen seaport during the turning point of the Ming and Qing dynasties.”
Other lots included a throne chair said to be from the late Ming dynasty valued at £20,000 to £40,000.