A FAIRLY ordinary-looking Chinese dish soared way above estimate at John Nicholson’s oriental auction, in Fernhurst, to sell for £16,000.

“The consignor, a woman, had brought in the dish saying she wanted an £80 reserve,” a spokesman for the West Sussex auction house said.

“However, we identified it as being a Ming-style longquan moulded celadon dish, decorated with a dragon, and recommended a £500 estimate.

“It was a good size at 13.8in diameter, but this price was certainly a pleasant surprise. We are delighted for the vendor.”