The Mail Online reports that a Ming dynasty bowl - formerly used as a cat bed - sold for £108,000 ($181,786) at Reeman Dansie Auctioneers on August 6.

The piece was valued at £200-300 ($336-504), equating to an increase of 35,900% on estimate.

The auction house was unaware of the bowl's value

A spokesman for the house told the website: "There was huge interest in it. I couldn't keep up with the bidding that was coming from online as well as 15 bidders in the room."

It's not uncommon for Chinese artworks to perform extremely well against their estimates in the West, as Chinese buyers seek to repatriate forgotten pieces.

Earlier this year a set of five ceramic panels sold for £516,000 ($864,176) against a high valuation of £300 ($502), while a floral-patterned censer achieved a 4,066% increase in October last year.

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