A FINE quality cloisonné cup, saucer and jug fetched £15,000 at an Isle of Wight auction on Friday (9).

There was excitement in the room HRD Auction Rooms in Brading when the hammer eventually went down.

An arts and crafts wardrobe also produced excitement and went for £6,600. Auctioneer Warren Riches said the second he saw the wardrobe he thought of prestigious furniture maker Heal & Sons.

Mr Riches said there had been international interest in the oriental cup, saucer and jug set.

"The oriental market proved to be as strong as ever. It still shows no sign of slowing up. This lot was getting serious pre-sale interest via our live bidding portal.

"The team at Brading then put detailed condition reports and images which means people can bid with absolute confidence.

"The lot started at £500 then shot over the £2,000 mark with bidding going up in £200 increments. When it hit the £5,000 mark I knew it was something unusual – possibly a very rare maker.

"It rose over £10,000 with bidding via the telephones and internet. Eventually the lot went down to a UK collector against Chinese overseas bidders for £15,000."

Entries for the special pre Christmas sale are now being accepted.