Crackpot! Vase used for sticks sells for £110k

A BATTERED vase used to keep walking sticks in has sold for more than £110,000.

The ornament, pictured, had been sitting in the porch of its owner’s Manchester home for 40 years. Unbeknown to her, it was made for a Chinese emperor in the early 19th century. The owner, who sold the piece to fund her move to a nursing home, said she was ‘shocked and aghast’ at the price it achieved at Macclesfield-based Adam Partridge auctioneers.

Although it has large chunks missing from its rim, bidding took off with the hammer coming down at £94,000 plus fees. It was sold to a Chinese buyer.