Island man’s shock at vase auction

Ross Findon - 

A Chinese vase sitting on an uncle’s bookshelf has turned an Isle of Wight man into an overnight multi-millionaire after selling at auction for £53 million.

Former conveyancing solicitor and RJR partner Tony Johnson told reporters after the sale his family had yet to come to terms with the news the 18th century vase had smashed its original estimate of £800,000.

The sale took place around two weeks ago but the identity of the owners was only made public this week.

Mr Johnson’s mother, Gene, was left the vase following the death of her sister, Patricia Newman, whose husband, Bill, was the original owner of the Qianlong dynasty treasure and kept it at their house in Pinner, Middlesex.

It is not known how Mr Newman came to own the vase but it is thought the former RAF officer with a reputation as an adventurer may have brought it back from China. It may originally have been stolen from one of China’s imperial palaces during the 19th century Opium Wars.

The 16ins-tall vase’s £53 million price tag is though to be the most ever paid for a Chinese artwork at auction and after tax and commission will have netted Mrs Johnson about £26 million she will share with her son.

Speaking to the County Press at his four-bedroom house in St Boniface Road, a relaxed Mr Johnson, dressed in tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt, said there had been a long queue of reporters keen to speak to him since the sale, at Bainbridge’s, Ruislip. He said the family had decided to keep a low profile.

Virgil Philpott, of RJR, said: "Tony retired in May and he has been in the process of moving house.

"He was with the firm for about ten years and I remember him saying when he retired he was looking forward to watching the World Cup on the telly. He is mad about Watford Football Club, I don’t think he missed a home game. He is a lovely bloke."

A neighbour said Tony, who lives in Ventnor with his wife, Judith, also a solicitor, said they kept themselves to themselves.

"There have been so many reporters around, they might wish they never found the thing," said the neighbor.

Photo Terry Smith/Rex Features

Posted via http://batavia08.posterous.com batavia08's posterous