The story begins with a celadon bowl, a gift from an uncle who had brought it back from Japan after serving as a civilian director of educational troops post-war.
The bowl, believed to be at least 80 to 100 years old, was intended to adorn the uncle’s home.
However, fate had other plans, and the uncle went blind, leaving the bowl to gather dust in the attic of the grandmother’s house for many years.
Eventually, it was rediscovered and given as a Christmas gift to the guest’s husband.
The bowl, large enough to accommodate a cat, had been a part of their lives ever since.
The appraiser, a fan of celadon, explains that it is also a favorite among the Japanese and has been for centuries.
To identify the bowl’s origin, the appraiser looks for clues.
The first clue is the label on the box that houses the bowl.
There’s another label on the back of the bowl, which the appraiser corrects to be a charger, an oversized dish used for serving or display.
The mark on the back of the charger indicates it’s Chinese.
The question arises, how did a Chinese Celadon charger end up in Japan?
The appraiser explains that the Japanese were the world’s most ardent collectors of celadon wares for centuries.
In the Asian art trade, good things come in Japanese boxes, indicating the Japanese’s fine connoisseurship of beautiful and sublime Chinese and Japanese antiques.
The label on the box matches the contents, indicating that the box was made to house this beautiful work of porcelain.
The charger, with its sublime dragon and impeccable glaze, shows few signs of age.
The appraiser explains that the Yongzheng period, from 1722 to 1735, was a time when some of the finest ceramics were made.
The guest, who collects contemporary ceramics, had always felt that the charger was probably worth something, perhaps around $1,000.
The appraiser chuckles at the guest’s estimate and explains that the Chinese porcelain market is very strong, driven by Chinese tastes.
The charger would appeal to a multitude of potential bidders and collectors looking for exactly this sort of ceramic.
The appraiser then gives a conservative auction estimate of $80,000 to $120,000.
The guest is overwhelmed by the valuation, laughing in disbelief that such a valuable item has been kept under her bed all this time.
The appraiser assures her that under the bed isn’t such a bad place to keep it, as it has been kept beautifully and safely.
However, he jokingly suggests that she may wish to rethink its storage location.
The guest is left speechless by the revelation, expressing that she feels like crying.
The appraiser reassures her that she has kept it very well for so long and that it’s in very good hands.
He expresses his pleasure that she owns this absolute masterpiece.
The celadon charger is a testament to the hidden treasures that lie in our homes, often unnoticed and unappreciated.
It is a reminder of the rich history and craftsmanship that such items carry.
The charger, once a forgotten item in an attic, is now recognized as a masterpiece, a symbol of a period when some of the finest ceramics were made.
In conclusion, the journey of the celadon charger from a post-war gift to a treasured masterpiece worth a small fortune is a captivating tale.
It highlights the importance of understanding and appreciating the value of the items we possess, not just in monetary terms but also in terms of their historical and cultural significance.
The story leaves us with a sense of wonder and a newfound appreciation for the hidden treasures that may be lurking in our own homes.
Find out what this centuries-old Celadon Charger is worth in the video below!
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