Unwanted Ming dynasty jar bound for skip sells for £1,700

The Ming jar had been used as a holder for sticks

A blue and white porcelain jar about to be thrown in a skip has been sold for £1,700 after being identified as from the Ming dynasty.

The jar, which had considerable damage, had been used as a stick stand by the front door of a country house in Herefordshire.

Jeremy Lamond, fine art director at Halls auctioneers in Shrewsbury, said it was about to be thrown in a skip.

But he identified it as being from the early 17th Century.

'Seek advice'

"The jar, which had considerable damage, had been used as a stick stand by the front door of a country house and the owners were going to throw it in a skip," he said.

"My advice to people who find themselves in a similar situation is don't make hasty judgements about something just because it's damaged.

"Always seek expert advice."

The jar was sold last week at Halls' antique furniture, ceramics and works of art auction in Shrewsbury.