A giant vase, which stands just a few inches short of the man who valued it, is up for sale.
The 5ft8in ornament is a rare antique treasure estimated to be worth between £30,000 and £50,000.
Decorated with birds and blossoms, it originates from Japan - but was discovered in a rather unexpected setting.
The lounge of a modest bungalow in Loughborough, was the unlikely home of the Japanese cloisonné vase when it was spotted during a routine home visit.
It belonged to the owner’s late mother who bought it at a country house sale in the 1950s. It is unknown how it found its way there.
It was 6ft tall Adrian Rathbone, associate director of Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire, who received the call requesting a valuation.
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He said: “I asked if they could pop over to our auction centre with it but they said it was a bit too big.
“I arranged to go over to value it at their home and was amazed when I saw it. It really is huge. It’s also exceptional in terms of quality.
“It’s 177cm tall (5ft 8in) and 44cm wide.
“It’s an exhibition size Japanese cloisonné vase from the Meiji period dating back to between 1868-1912.
“It’s extraordinary to find something like this in an average-sized home. It’s so special and rare it’s been entered into our Summer Fine Art Auction.
“The owner thought it may be worth a few thousand but not as much as that. However, the Meiji period is widely regarded as the heyday of the finest Japanese works of art.
“Anyone looking for a showstopper object or keen collectors of Japanese ceramics will be interested in this.”
The Japanese cloisonne vase will be sold on July 5 in Hansons’ Summer Fine Art Auction at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire.
