WATCH: Mysterious Chinese artefact to be sold by Sheppard's Irish Auction House in Laois
The purpose of this Chinese gilded bronze artefact is said to have puzzled experts
An intriguing Chinese Bronze Artefact has been consigned to Sheppard's Irish Auction House in Durrow for its next sale at the end of November.
The owner of the artefact reached out to Sheppard's Irish Auction House after watching the More4 television series, Country House Auction, which followed the Laois based auction house as it repaired, valued and auctioned a large amount of various antiques in Durrow Castle.
Hundred of thousands of people across Ireland and the UK tuned in to watch the show which aired in August of this year.
It was this TV show which led to the owner contacting the auction house and this magnificent Chinese artefact ending up with Sheppard's.
The beautiful piece has a six-character reign mark of the Yongle Emperor, with a dragon head over scrolling lotus sprays. It is not known whether the artefact is sceptre or a mace.
Researchers have found an artefact with similar elements in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, New York described as a 14th-century Sino-Tibetan ritual scraper.
This gilded bronze artefact is said to have baffled experts. Now, Sheppard's are working with specialists on Sino-Tibetan artefacts to discover more about this rarity and its origins.
The Chinese artefact will be auctioned by Sheppard's next month.