Chinese jade study of an Asian citrus fruit known as Buddha’s hand – £3200 at Greenslade Taylor Hunt.
Its name in Chinese has almost the same sound as the words for fortune and longevity so it would make an auspicious gift.
With no pressure from the vendor, in whose family the piece had been for generations, it was estimated at £80-120 at the sale on March 2. However, the full online illustrations no doubt having helped, bidding opened at £1000 and after a battle with online rivals a phone bidder took it at £3200.
