A rare Ming Dynasty vase that had been used as a doorstop in a Long Island home sold for $1.3 million US. A rare Ming Dynasty vase that had been used as a doorstop in a Long Island home sold for $1.3 million US. (Sotheby’s/Associated Press)

A rare Chinese vase, which was discovered being used as a doorstop in a New York home, has sold for more than $1.3 million US at auction.

The vase, owned by an unidentified family for decades had been kept on a wooden stand and used as a doorstop, until someone spotted a similar piece in a Sotheby's ad. The New York auction house valued the vase at $600,000-$800,000.

Other significant sales at the Sotheby’s auction:

  • A jade imperial seal from the Qing dynasty (about 1790), which sold for $3.5 million.
  • A Wucai fish-patterned jar from the Jiajing period, $1.9 million.
  • An archaic bronze wine vessel from the Zhou Dynasty in 7-8th century B.C., $1.5 million.

The Walters Museum in Baltimore sold the Wucai fish jar to benefit its Asian Art Acquisitions Fund.

"Collectors from around the world were drawn to high-quality pieces with distinguished provenance, particularly that of museums," said Tao Wang, head of the Chinese Works of Art Department at Sotheby's New York.

With files from The Associated Press