Is the historic Opium Trade & ‘Traitors’ Castle responsible for rare Chinese treasure in Scottish Highlands?

A Rare Imperial Yellow Ming Pottery Goutou Tile Terminal from the late 14th Century has just been acquired The Cheeky Highlander in the Scottish Highlands. How did it end up there?

These eave-end tiles were crafted for the Imperial Palaces of the early Ming Dynasty in China. During the 19th-Century there was much plunder & trade during periods of upheaval, such as the Second Opium War, resulting in many pieces being removed from palace ruins or tombs.

They were shipped back to the UK by military officers, diplomats, or missionaries and entered the European art and antiques market.

Ardross Castle is the impressive backdrop for the extremely popular TV series ‘Traitors’ and Glenmorangie adverts featuring Harrison Ford. It exists in its current state because of Sir Alexander Matheson.

Matheson was co-founder of the global trading firm Jardine Matheson and amassed a vast fortune financing the illegal flow of opium from India into China, which he used to purchase the 60,000-acre Ardross estate in 1845 and fund its lavish redesign. 

His firm Jardine Matheson was heavily involved in the Opium War and they weren’t shy of flaunting the source of their wealth. The dogs on Ardross Castle Gates are seen holding an item that some believe represents a Poppy, others suggest a pomegranate.

Perhaps this 620 year old Imperial Chinese Ancient Artefact found its way into the Scottish Highlands via that opium trade…

Either way, Cheeky @ Scottish Highland Antiques is delighted that the Scottish Highlands keeps unearthing global treasures time and time again.