Chinese silver hoard found in attic after 80 years

A Chinese silver tea set, by Zeewo, Shanghai c.1900-20

A vast collection of Chinese silver worth £10,000, hidden away in an attic for 80 years, has been discovered by auctioneers.

The silver was acquired by a man who worked for the China Navigation Company in Shanghai during the World War Two.

The family's Chinese servants had hidden the vast silver collection for the duration of the war.

Cotswold auctioneer Kinghams' associate director Matthew Lafite said it was "amazing" the the collection was hidden away during the war.

"Our vendor is a descendant of the original owner, and the collection was entirely unknown until this year," Mr Lafite added.

The collection includes a sterling silver tea set, salver, and ewer, all with finely detailed dragon decoration, carried out by Shanghai silversmith Zeewo.

Included are silver pedestal dishes, and two large presentation plaques.

The majority of the pieces date to between 1900 and 1920.

The collection’s existence was only revealed to the vendor shortly before her father passed away earlier this year.

He told her there was something in the attic, but he had not known how valuable the collection was.

“We are delighted to be entrusted to handle the sale of such a wonderful collection of Chinese silver. The family history and provenance, in addition to the lovely quality of the items, do make it something rather special indeed.” Mr Lafite said.