A centuries-old Chinese treasure has recently been discovered in a collection of pottery in an Oxfordshire farmhouse, and will now be sold at auction.

The ceramic piece was noticed by antiques expert Paul Fox, during a visit to the property near Banbury.

The item was hidden among an assortment of blue and white pottery on display, but it was the vibrant hue that caught his eye.

Mr Fox, a valuer for Hanson Holloway’s Auctioneers in Banbury, said: "I noticed a ginger jar among a collection of Copeland and Staffordshire-made plates and bowls.

"I was taken by its striking shade of blue.

"It was an interesting piece so I asked for permission to take it away to carry out more research."

Upon further examination, the jar was revealed to be an artefact from the reign of Emperor Kangxi, the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty who ruled China from 1662 to 1722.

This was confirmed by the firm’s Asian consultant Adam Schoon.

The piece is more than 300 years old and features a deep cobalt blue design adorned with flowering plants, a fanciful bird, and leafy scrollwork.

Mr Schoon said: "The inky-blue design is very suggestive of the Kangxi period.

"It was a delight to examine it. It should do extremely well at auction.

"Collectors from the Far East are keen to repatriate items like this to their homeland."

Mr Fox added: "The piece is an example of China’s exemplary dedication to creating the finest ceramics.

"Under Emperor Kangxi China experienced cultural advancement and blue and white ceramics flourished.

"Imperial kilns were reopened to create high quality objects.

"Such were their popularity King William III of England housed a large collection at Hampton Court Palace.

“The blue was created by the distinctive cobalt oxide mixture which was imported from Persia to begin with.

"In Chinese culture the colour blue has deep significance. It’s associated with growth and advancement and represents the element of wood.

"Despite it lacking its lid, we expect the ginger jar to make between £1,000 and £1,500 and spark worldwide interest.

"Kingfisher blue was highly attractive to the Chinese court and the Emperor himself."

Its value was a surprise to the owner, who had believed it to be just another piece of blue and white pottery.

Mr Fox said: "It’s so important to get items valued.

"Many people have objects tucked away at home, perhaps inherited, and they have no idea of their worth.

"You just might be sitting on a windfall."

The item is set to go to auction at Hanson Holloway’s Banbury fine art and antiques sale on February 3.