Rare Ming dynasty jade horse found in chance encounter

A group of similar horses was exhibited in 1975 at the Victoria and Albert Museum

A rare Ming dynasty jade horse has emerged for sale after a chance encounter at a petrol station.

The 17th Century figure - expected to fetch up to £100,000 - is part of a collection being auctioned in Dorset.

The collection came to light after a retired academic of Chinese culture helped a woman who locked her keys in her car.

It emerged the woman's husband was a collector of East Asian art who then decided to sell his collection.

The nine-inch (23cm) jade carving, possibly an Imperial commission from the late Ming or early Qing dynasty, shows the animal lying with its head turned and ears pointed.

A group of similar horses was exhibited in 1975 at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Andrew Marlborough, of Duke's Auctioneers in Dorchester, said: "The jade horse is incredibly rare and quite exceptional and is from the same group as those exhibited in 1975 at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

"It has a finely carved mane and the face has a serene and confident expression communicated through the crisply-defined mouth, nostrils and eyes."

Last year, a Ming jade horse exceeded estimates of £20,000-£30,000 when it sold for £170,000 at Mallams in Cheltenham.