Chinese vase fetches $69.3 million at London auction

London: An 18th century Chinese porcelain vase discovered when a house was cleared out has been sold at a London auction for 43 million pounds (US$69.3 million).

Auctioneers Bainbridges said on Thursday that the final price of the vase far exceeded the pre-auction estimated price, which was about 1.2 million pounds. The amount was thought to be among the highest every paid for any Chinese artwork sold at auction.

The vase is decorated with a fish motif and is 16 inches high.

Bainbridges said the vase is believed to have been acquired by an English family during the 1930s or earlier.