![the owners consigned the bowl for auction and sotheby 039 s estimated it would sell for 200 000 to 300 000 photo file the owners consigned the bowl for auction and sotheby 039 s estimated it would sell for 200 000 to 300 000 photo file](https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/523641-onlineauction-1363759035/523641-onlineauction-1363759035.jpg)
An unnamed New York family bought the "Ding" bowl, which is from the Northern Song Dynasty, for no more than $3 in 2007 and displayed it on a mantelpiece with no idea as to its real worth, Sotheby's said.
After consulting with experts, the owners consigned the bowl for auction. Sotheby's estimated it would sell for $200,000 to $300,000. London dealer Giuseppe Eskenazi paid $2,225,000 including commission for the bowl, which measures just over five inches in diameter, at the auction in New York City.
Sotheby's said the only known bowl of the same form, size and almost identical decoration has been in the collection of the British Museum in London for more than 60 years.
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