A pair of Chinese porcelain bowls found in a house clearance in Hindhead have sold at auction for £45,500 – more than ten times their estimate.

The Chinese famille rose bowls were discovered by a retired banker who is moving to America, and valued at between £4,000 and £6,000 by John Nicholson auctioneers in Fernhurst before its specialist Islamic and Oriental sale on Monday.

However, after an online bidding war against three competing websites they were sold to a Chinese collector on the telephone for an eye-popping £45,500.

The bowls measure 14.5cm in diameter and are painted with coral red fish on their exterior, and with blue and white sprays of flora on their interior.

Each feature the Daoguang mark on their base, which it is thought dates them to between 1821 and 1850.

John Nicholson said: “This shows that where objects are of the finest quality and rarity, the market for Chinese porcelain remains very strong indeed.

"It is also a reminder from a very local source that coming to us for valuations can prove to be very profitable.”

For information about John Nicholson's upcoming auctions, see https://johnnicholsons.com/upcoming-auctions/