A CRACKED BOWL has been sold for a whopping £120,000 at a Norfolk after a heated bidding war.
The 12th Chinese century relic came from a Norfolk estate and ended up going for 200 times its pre-sale estimate of £600.
The piece dates from the 12th to 13th century during the Southern Song dynasty.
It was used mainly as a water bowl for rinsing calligraphy and paint brushes.
Of the four Song dynasty pieces for sale, the dish was the only one by far exceeding it’s predicted sale price at Keys auction house.
Keys ceramics expert David Broom said that due to the dishes specific glazes of the Song Dynasty he knew that the piece of crockery would be popular.
He said: “Even though the dish was slightly marred by a crack to its well, this did not put off a group of very determined buyers.”
No-one could have predicted the intense bidding war which occurred once the sale got under way.”
Those involved took the bidding through 237 bidding increments before arriving at the hammer price of £120,000.
Collectors from across the globe battled for the antique but the piece eventually went to a buyer from Italy.
Keys auction house is no stranger to unexpected sales, and has a wide range of items on offer.
These include anything from personal handwritten letters to Victorian taxidermy.
Experts believe the average UK attic hides valuables totalling a staggering £1,922, and around £33billion worth of “junk” lurks in our cupboards and drawers
Antiques expert Charlie Ross, who regularly appears on Bargain Hunt and Flog It!, has listed several items to look out for in your home.
’90s vinyl
“Records made from about 1992 to 1999 are especially valuable as not a lot was made at that time. Vinyl from bands like Mansun might sell for £80 or Kula Shaker, £65,” said the expert.
Star Wars
“What really sells well is carded figures, One auction recently sold a rare character called Yak Face, from Return Of The Jedi, for over £1,500,” said Charlie
Fountain Pens
The Bargain Hunt presenter said: “A rare Namiki fountain pen once sold for £6,000 at auction, while auction house Dreweatts sold a limited-edition Montblanc for an incredible £14,000.”
Old mobiles
“Even if they are not worth a huge amount now, there is no doubt that they will become valuable, so they are worth keeping. The first one of any particular series might also be worth something in years to come”. said Charlie.
Autographs
“If you have a collection of all the Beatles’ autographs, you are sitting on a fortune!” Charlie added.
“I recently met a chap who had a book full of cricketers’ autographs – even that was worth £100.”
Comics
“A Batman Adventures Comic from 1993 could make you around £800. Comics are valuable as they are typically limited edition and quite rare,” explained the expert.
For more information on hidden valuable items, read here.
