A “very rare” 18th Century Chinese vase was bought for a few hundred pounds in the 1980s and kept in a kitchen.

It was sold for £1,449,000.

The Qianlong Emperor’s court commissioned the 2ft blue-glazed, silver and gilded vase.

It was expected to fetch £100,000-£150,000 at auction, with cranes and bats adorning it.

The vase belonged to a surgeon who gave it to his son, having no idea how valuable it was.

Dreweatts Auctioneers in Berkshire stated it wasn’t until a visiting antiques specialist noticed it that its actual worth and history were revealed.

It was sold over the phone to an international customer.

The hammer price was £1,200,000, and the winning bidder paid £1,449,000 with buyers’ premium.

“We are delighted with this remarkable result,” said Mark Newstead of the auction firm.

We observed a lot of interest from China, Hong Kong, the United States, and the United Kingdom, which resulted in a lot of bidding.”

According to the Newbury auction house, the vase’s base carries the “distinctive” six-character mark of the Qianlong Dynasty (1736-1795).

“The rich cobalt blue is often referred to as ‘sacrificial blue,’ coming from the usage of vessels in this color glaze during sacrifices at the Imperial Altar of Heaven,” the statement continued.

“It is extremely rare to see blue vases painted in both gilding and slightly raised silver, thought to be due to the medium being difficult to control.”

“Thrillingly, no other porcelain decorated with the same subject in gold and silver appears to have ever been documented.”

The flying cranes and bats on the vase, represented longevity and fortune.