A Chinese famille rose vase, Qianlong mark and of the period (1736-1795), sold for 300,000 pounds. Photo: HANSONS AUCTIONEERS and VALUERS LTD

An exquisite Chinese famille rose vase valued at £30,000-£50,000, smashed auction house records when it sold for a staggering £300,000!

The vase has beaten the record for the highest selling lot ever to be sold at the December Fine Arts Derbyshire Showroom,

Much interest in the Chinese masterpiece was shown before the sale, with many phone lines being booked up well in advance.

The bidding initially began at £20,000 with the price steadily rising until it soared from £70,000 to £100,000 and then jumping again from £160,000 to £200,000.

After seven long minutes of battling from six telephone bidders, the hammer eventually fell at an amazing £300,000 to a mystery UK buyer.

The vase eventually went for a staggering £300,000. Photo: HANSONS AUCTIONEERS and VALUERS LTD