An antique used as a table lamp for more than 50 years has sold for a staggering 581,000 pounds after it was revealed to be an incredibly rare 200-year-old Chinese relic.
一台被当作台灯使用了50多年的古董,在被发现是一件极其罕见、拥有200年历史的中国文物之后,最终以令人惊讶的58.1万英镑的价格售出。
The 10in tall porcelain figure turned out to be an ornate 'nine dragons' hat stand made for Emperor Dauguang of Imperial China's Qing dynasty.
这个10英寸高的陶瓷物品其实是装饰华丽的"九龙"帽架,是为中国清朝的道光皇帝制作的。
It is thought that the stand was bought at a country house sale in the 1950s at a time when Chinese artwork was not highly prized.
据悉,这一帽架是20世纪50年代时在一次乡间别墅的买卖中获得的,那个时候,中国艺术品还没有被高度珍视。
The couple took it back to their house in North Wales where they turned it into a lampshade complete with cream, frilly shade.
一对夫妇把它带回了他们在北威尔士的家中,在那里,他们给它配上了乳白色、带褶皱的灯罩。
Incredibly it remained there until several years ago when it was sold to the latest vendor, who bought it after realising its heritage.
令人惊讶地是,直到数年前,上一任买主看出了它是文化遗产,才从这对夫妇手中买走了这件古董。
The seller then took the piece to experts at Christie's auction house who were able to confirm its 200-year-old history.
随后,卖家将这件作品交给佳士得拍卖行的专家,他们最终鉴别出它拥有200年的历史。
Ivy Chan, an Asian art specialist at Christie's, said: "This fascinating object was kept in a house in North Wales for over 50 years, where it was used as a lamp all that time."
佳士得亚洲艺术专家IvyChan表示:"50多年来,这件迷人的物品被保存在北威尔士的一间房屋里,在那里,它一直被用作台灯。"
"It's actually a Chinese hat stand that is 200 years old. The fact that this hat stand ended up in Britain follows a long continued history of pieces."
"这其实是一个拥有200年历史的中国帽架。事实上,在经历了一段延续而悠久的历史后,它才在英国结束了自己的旅程。"
"It is a miracle it has survived in such good condition. It was a very pleasant surprise when the vendor brought the piece to us. "
"它能以如此好的状态保存下来是个奇迹。当卖主把它带给我们时,我们非常高兴、非常惊喜。"