Chinese collectibles hit the jackpot again at Sheppard’s

Is there a house left in Ireland with yet-to-be-discovered Chinese treasures? Probably. Despite astonishing prices at auction here and overseas recently, items are still coming to light.

The latest big find was sold at Sheppard's in Durrow, Co Laois, last week. A 17-piece collection of Chinese jade – inherited by a man in Co Offaly – consigned "in a Dunnes Stores bag" and assigned a top estimate of €15,000 made €110,300. The pieces were sold individually with one – a little Qing period pale celadon jade circular box, just 11cm high – made €36,000 (estimate €800-€1,200). The vendor,contacted after the auction, said he "wasn't dreaming of that kind of result". Chinese bidders were out in force – many of them online in China. Check the attic and Granny's china cabinet if you haven't done so. It could be you.