Rare Qing Dynasty Emperor's Artifact Turned Into a Table Lamp

A 200-year-old Qing Dynasty emperor's hat rack was turned into a decorative lamp by a British couple for 50 years without knowing its true value.

The rare hat rack is worth at least $370,000. Photo: BNPS.

A homemade table lamp that a British couple has used to decorate their hallway for 50 years could fetch $370,000 after experts identified it as a rare 200-year-old Qing Dynasty antique, Mirror reported.

According to an expert from Christie's auction house in London, the 25cm tall object is a hat stand decorated with nine dragons of Dao Quang (1782 - 1850), the 8th emperor of the Qing Dynasty.

The unnamed couple bought the hat rack in 1953. They fitted it with an electric light bulb, covered it with a shade, and placed it in the hallway of their home in North Wales. The rack, which was made between 1820 and 1850, is expected to fetch $370,000 at Christie’s upcoming auction.

"This gold and green stand is decorated with nine dragons, a symbol of supreme power. It is a beautiful work of art, showing the mastery of the artisans. Chinese ceramics are often converted into lamps and fortunately the stand was not damaged. We were very surprised when the seller brought it," said Ivy Chan, an expert in Asian works of art at Christie's.

According to TPO