The worlds most expensive ashtray?!

This 18th century Chinese vase was taken to Adam Partridge auctioneers valuation day by a lady from Leek in Staffordshire who said she doubted that they would want it as it was damaged and had been used by her grandmother for "stubbing out her fags"!

The 32cm vase a blue ground Famille Rose pattern Jiaqing (1796 - 1820) with a flared neck, stepped handles to the neck and character mark to base was estimated at the valuation day at £10,000-£15,000 - and if that wasn’t enough to make the owner fall of her chair, it was then contested at Adam Partridge Auctioneers 28^th October sale over 6 phone lines and the hammer finally fell at £60,000 - making it probably the most expensive ashtray in the world!