AN EMPEROR'S RARE BOX OF DELIGHTS | The 500-Year Journey From The Forbidden City to Attic Discovery

"In this extended film, Dreweatts' Mark Newstead delivers more insight into perhaps one of his most wonderful discoveries, and a career highlight he’s unlikely to experience again, though knowing Mark, never say never..!

Discovered on a dusty shelf in the family home of the late Major Radcliffe, this extremely rare and intricately decorated cloisonné Imperial box belonging to the Xuande Emperor who reigned from 1425-1435 during the Ming Dynasty is thought to be one of only five known in existence today, and what cost Major Radcliffe £18 in 1946 could be worth an extraordinary £100,000 in 2023.

Characterised by colourful enamelwork on metal, Chinese cloisonné art has been prized for its exquisite beauty and intricate craftsmanship for centuries. Cloisonné art [jingtai lan] has a long history in China, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) when it was introduced from the Middle East where blue [lan] was the favourite colour. However, it wasn't until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) that cloisonné art became highly developed and widely popular among the Chinese imperial court and the elite.

Traditional cloisonné pieces are highly collectable and can be found in various forms such as vases, bowls, censers, and other decorative objects and collecting Chinese cloisonné art can be a fascinating and rewarding endeavour. "#Antique