$146,000 rare candle holders inflame collectors' interest at auction

Two Charles II-period candle holders have smashed their £8,000 estimate as collectors and investors raised the price to £89,540 at Reeman Dansie auctioneers in Essex.

The 17^th century candle sconces were almost left behind by the consigner as she cleared her house in Stratford St Mary, Suffolk.

The silver pieces, which are engraved with the original owner Henry Francis North's coat of arms, would once have been mounted on a wall.

It is thought they may have been produced by the London silversmith John Ruslen in around 1680.

The candle holders made 11 times their estimate

James Grinter, a senior partner at the auctioneers, told the East Anglian Daily Times that although house clearances often turn up items of value, these pieces were exceptional.

"We hoped to get around £15,000 but as the bidding kept going up it started to feel like it would just keep going on and on," he said.

The previous record for the auction house had been £61,000 for a Chinese punch bowl sold in 1996.