BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833.
Pic: Ader/BNPS

An exquisite 18th century Chinese vase has sold for over £2.2million after sparking a bidding war.

The gold-yellow 10ins bottle-shaped porcelain vase with a narrow neck was made during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor.

It is decorated with lotus flowers, with handles fashioned in the form of gold enameled dragons.

Crucially, the antique carries the emperor's six character seal mark in red on its base.