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<\/p>\nA 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.<\/p>\n
The pair stumbled upon a cup tucked away which turned out to be an antique centuries old, dating back to the Qing Dynasty.<\/p>\n
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The rare rhinoceros horn libation cup was found by an antiques expert during a routine house visit in the Cotswolds.<\/p>\n
It was identified as a mystical Chinese artefact believed to detect poison and hold aphrodisiac qualities around 350 years ago.<\/p>\n
The late 17th or early 18th century cup is now estimated to fetch between \u00a33,000 to \u00a35,000 when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on November 30.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
"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.<\/p>\n "What was placed into my hands was a magical find – a\u202frare Chinese object dating back to the late 17th or early 18th century. I instantly recognised it as a libation\u202fcup.<\/p>\n "It was beautifully carved out of rhinoceros horn and displayed intricate detail."<\/p>\n "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."<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The cup boasts an elegantly\u202ftapering body sitting on a splayed base, rising to a flaring rim.<\/p>\n Awell-carved midsection depicts archaistic motifs while the handle features sinuous Chilong dragons, one peering over the interior rim.<\/p>\n And another playful dragon is carved on the opposing lip of the well-patinated cup.<\/p>\n Charles continued: "Rhinoceros horn libation cups were\u202fused for\u202fcommunal drinking at important ceremonial occasions in Chinese scholarly circles.<\/p>\n "They were considered magical objects. In ancient Chinese mythology rhinoceros horn was thought to contain aphrodisiac properties and to be able to detect poison.<\/p>\n "It was believed the horn would change colours to alert a drinker to the presence of poison."<\/p>\n Charles said rhinoceros horn was considered one of "Eight Precious" symbols representing good luck and prosperity in Chinese mythology.<\/p>\n He added: "It represents victory. Its special place in Chinese culture enhances its importance and value.<\/p>\n "There are numerous references in early Chinese historical literature to objects made of rhinoceros horn. It was thought by Daoists to have magical properties.<\/p>\n "By the\u202fTang dynasty (AD 618-806) it was being carved into drinking containers for ceremonies honouring ancestors and given to scholars who were successful in examinations."<\/p>\n He added that the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) witnessed the height of rhinoceros horn carvings.<\/p>\n And the Chinese had established trade with Africa, giving them access to the horn of the African rhinoceros.<\/p>\n He continued: "Though called libation cups, these vessels would have been primarily used\u202ffor display, accompanied by beautifully crafted hardwood stands.<\/p>\n "Understandably, the trade and transportation of antique rhinoceros horn carvings is regulated by law.<\/p>\n "However, antique rhinoceros horn carvings are permitted to be sold and auctioned if for purely artistic intentions.<\/p>\n "The libation cup was inherited by our client's grandfather. It is expected to create worldwide interest. We are guiding it \u00a33,000-\u00a35,000.<\/p>\n "However, such is the demand for historically important Chinese objects it could make considerably more.<\/p>\n "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."<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/VP-COMP-ENERGY-BILL-1.jpg\")
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