London, Nov 17 (ANI): An antique Chinese vase found in a routine family house clearance and originally valued at 20,000 pounds, has gone on to fetch 3 million pounds - more than 100 times its asking price.

The bottle vase from the Qing dynasty was discovered by chance when a local auctioneer went around to value the contents of the house in the Yorkshire Dales, the Telegraph reported.

At first he thought it was a 19th century replica but as the sale got closer he realised it hailed from the reign of Emperor Yongzheng who ruled China from 1722 to 1735.

The news caused a buying frenzy especially among Asian buyers with one Chinese couple taking a taxi all the way from London to the market town of Leyburn for the auction.

By the time the sale took place the 300-year-old family heirloom fetched 3 million pounds with commissions.

The antique was discovered by Rodney Tennant, from Tennants Auctioneers, during a routine house call to value the contents of a modest family home.

Tennant said that the owner, who wished to remain anonymous, had decided to sell his furniture after the death of his wife and had no idea of its value.

"It had been in the house for 45 years," he said.

"He said it was a wonder it had never been damaged by cats and dogs running around and kids playing football in the room - they said it was the only item in the house not to be damaged," he added.

The seller told Tennant he had planned to ring his children to tell them how much it made, but would now visit them in person as they wouldn't believe it.

The vase was eventually sold to a Chinese telephone bidder based in Hong Kong. (ANI)