A COUPLE who found a Chinese treasure with a disturbing history hidden in their garage were stunned after realising it is worth an eye-watering sum.
The pair stumbled upon a cup tucked away which turned out to be an antique centuries old, dating back to the Qing Dynasty.
The rare rhinoceros horn libation cup was found by an antiques expert during a routine house visit in the Cotswolds.
It was identified as a mystical Chinese artefact believed to detect poison and hold aphrodisiac qualities around 350 years ago.
The late 17th or early 18th century cup is now estimated to fetch between £3,000 to £5,000 when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on November 30.
Charles Hansons, owner of Hansons and star of TV's Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, said: "I regularly visit clients' homes to assess antiques for potential consignment to auction.
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"I'd completed my visit and was sitting in my car, about to drive off with a wave, when the couple asked if they could show me one more thing.
"What was placed into my hands was a magical find – a rare Chinese object dating back to the late 17th or early 18th century. I instantly recognised it as a libation cup.
"It was beautifully carved out of rhinoceros horn and displayed intricate detail."
"The honey-caramel object is from the Kangxi Period (1662-1723) of the Qing Dynasty. It would have been crafted just after the Ming period."
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The cup boasts an elegantly tapering body sitting on a splayed base, rising to a flaring rim.
Awell-carved midsection depicts archaistic motifs while the handle features sinuous Chilong dragons, one peering over the interior rim.
And another playful dragon is carved on the opposing lip of the well-patinated cup.
Charles continued: "Rhinoceros horn libation cups were used for communal drinking at important ceremonial occasions in Chinese scholarly circles.
"They were considered magical objects. In ancient Chinese mythology rhinoceros horn was thought to contain aphrodisiac properties and to be able to detect poison.
"It was believed the horn would change colours to alert a drinker to the presence of poison."
Charles said rhinoceros horn was considered one of "Eight Precious" symbols representing good luck and prosperity in Chinese mythology.
He added: "It represents victory. Its special place in Chinese culture enhances its importance and value.
"There are numerous references in early Chinese historical literature to objects made of rhinoceros horn. It was thought by Daoists to have magical properties.
"By the Tang dynasty (AD 618-806) it was being carved into drinking containers for ceremonies honouring ancestors and given to scholars who were successful in examinations."
He added that the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) witnessed the height of rhinoceros horn carvings.
And the Chinese had established trade with Africa, giving them access to the horn of the African rhinoceros.
He continued: "Though called libation cups, these vessels would have been primarily used for display, accompanied by beautifully crafted hardwood stands.
"Understandably, the trade and transportation of antique rhinoceros horn carvings is regulated by law.
"However, antique rhinoceros horn carvings are permitted to be sold and auctioned if for purely artistic intentions.
"The libation cup was inherited by our client's grandfather. It is expected to create worldwide interest. We are guiding it £3,000-£5,000.
"However, such is the demand for historically important Chinese objects it could make considerably more.
"If it achieves more than a 100 US dollars a gram it will be granted work-of-art status and therefore be allowed by Chinese law to return to China if buyers wish to repatriate back to its home country."
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