kentnews.co.uk - A teapot with a broken glued-on handle shocked auctioneers when it made £17,000 - £16,200 more than its reserve price.

The rare Minton Majolica teapot, modelled in the shape of a vulture attacking a serpent, had originally been listed with a reserve price between £600 and £800.

But just a few days before the sale at Canterbury Auction Galleries the price was upped when it emerged the pot was one of only two examples to have come to auction in the past 15 years.

The teapot was sold for £17,000 and smashed the auction houses sales record for pieces from Minton, an important Stoke-based porcelain producer that started in 1793.

Auctioneer Michael Roberts said: “It was discovered during a routine probate of a house after the owner’s death.

“The handle had broken off and been crudely stuck back on with glue so we never expected it to make that much.

“It was sold to a bidder in the Far East and just goes to show that collectors are prepared to spend a lot of money for pieces they want.

“Out of all the Minton Majolica pieces we have had this one has done the best – despite being damaged.

“I imagine it will be professionally restored now.”

The extremely rare teapot, which was sold on Tuesday was designed for Minton ceramics in 1874 by Colonel Henry Hope Crealock.

The proceeds from the sale will be split between eight charities.

Posted: 03|1|07 at 3:05 pm. Filed under: UK News.