A Chinese bowl found in the attic of a house in West Baldwin has fetched more than half a million pounds at an auction in Douglas.

The Qianlong porcelain planter was among 200 items put under the hammer by Murray's Auctioneers in a sale at Salisbury Street Methodist Church in Farrant Street on Friday evening.

The nine inch high jardiniere decorated in Doucai style, was discovered during a house clearance.

An estimate of ?40,000 to ?60,000 was put on it at the start of the auction.

It went for ?520,000 to a telephone bidder on the line from Hong Kong.

Auctioneer Murray Keefe says Chinese porcelain is very commercial at present and a favourite with Chinese buyers.

The three biggest Chinese art dealers in London flew to the Island on Wednesday to view the item.