A Newcastle auctioneer has sold a Ming Dynasty vase which was being used by its owner as a lavatory toilet roll holder.
The Ming Dynasty Celadon censer decorated with dragons chasing flaming pearls sold for £3600.
The 15 inch-wide censer which is carved in low relief and raised on three, half globe feet, one of which is missing, was sold by Anderson and Garland during its latest Fine Artand Antiques Auction.
Senior specialist at Anderson and Garland, Steven Moore described first seeing the treasure at its former owner's Northumberland home.
He said: "Despite being filled with lavatory roll when I saw it in the vendor’s home, I immediately recognized as a late Ming era Celadon censer.
"It did bring a smile to my face when the hammer came down, knowing what it had previously been used for.
"The Victorian stand evidently created a very practical use for the censer and looked lovely within the vendor’s bathroom."
The Ming Dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China for 276 years between 1368 and 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty.
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