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Imperial Dish Found Under Sofa Sells for £30,000
12 Oct
Summary
- Rare Chinese imperial dish linked to Empress Dowager Cixi found.
- The 2ft-wide porcelain dish was discovered under a sofa in London.
- Estimated to fetch £20,000 to £30,000 at a November 2026 auction.
A remarkable Chinese imperial porcelain dish, associated with the court of Empress Dowager Cixi, has been discovered in a north London residence. The 2ft-wide artifact, weighing approximately 30lb, spent decades covered in dirt beneath a family sofa.
Asian art specialist John Axford identified a crucial four-character seal mark on its base, linking it to Chuxiu Palace within Beijing's Forbidden City. This mark indicates the dish was made for Empress Dowager Cixi's palace, likely in the 1880s.
The dish, decorated in imperial yellow with green and aubergine enamels, is considered a rare example of late Qing dynasty palace porcelain. Its unusual yellow-glazed base is believed to be unique among known examples.
Originally brought to Britain in the early 20th century by Wing Lung Goo, the dish is scheduled for auction on November 10, 2026. Experts estimate its value to be between £20,000 and £30,000, reflecting its scale, imperial provenance, and unique characteristics.
