A BIDDING war broke out between parties vying for a 1920s Chinese vase – shooting past the £3,000 mark.

A host of bidders, including many from China, pushed a large 1920s Meiji-period Vase to £3,300 at South Dorsetshire Auction’s specialist ceramic sale on Sunday, April 16.

Auctioneer Mark Croucher said that the winning bid had comfortably exceeded pre-sale estimates after a battle of the bids between two buyers in China and a UK-based buyer, with the UK ultimately coming out on top.

The winning bidder lives locally but is exporting it to China.

The vase itself came to the UK after the Second World War with a now dead Royal Navy officer who lived in Wimborne.

Mr Croucher said: “It was an immaculate and very large floor standing vase with dynamic colours and decorated with goldfish to the inside – truly exceptional for its age.

“The winning bidder is very pleased with their purchase and it has already begun its long journey back to China.”

South Dorsetshire Auctions holds regular antiques and collectables auctions every other Sunday from its warehouse in Wareham.

Visit southdorsetauctions.co.uk for more information.