Ming vase with antiques valuation of £1m 'taken to auction in cardboard box'

The piece was carried by a 79-year-old man, who could be a millionaire after the sale.

A 600-year-old vase, which has an antiques valuation of £1 million, has been transported to an auction in a cardboard box.

The Ming item - which was taken to Duke's auction house in Dorchester, Dorset by a 79-year-old man - is 11.5 inches and dates back to between 1403 and 1424.

Guy Schwinge, from the auctioneers, pointed out the piece is in "perfect condition" and stated it is "amazing" that it has managed to remain damage-free for 600 years.

He added: "It is the largest recorded example from a rarefied group of early Ming moonflasks dating from the Yongle period."

What's more, he stated when his colleague originally showed him the vase he could not believe it.

This comes after a Chinese vase - a blue and white Dragon jar from the Qianlong era - last year sold for £4.8 million after it was given an antiques valuation of just £10,000.

Posted by Lisa Marriott

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