[Евгений]

Pitcher XI century, previously erroneously dated and valued at 100-200 pounds, was sold Tuesday at Christie's auction for 3.18 million pounds, reports the AP.
Crystal vessel with carved images of mythical animals, flowers and vegetables was in January 2008 put up for auction by British auction house Lawrences. Rarity was identified in the catalog as the claret jug, created in France in the XIX century and valued at 100-200 pounds (175-350 dollars). However, the bidders have shown an increased interest in pitcher, and, ultimately, he was sold for 220 thousand pounds (383.6 thousand U.S. dollars).

The new owner of the jug has expertise in which it was found that the vessel was made in Egypt during the Fatimid dynasty (XI century). Such rarities are in museum collections around the world recites no more than five, never previously exhibited at the auctions.

Before bidding, it was reported that the price of a pitcher can reach five million pounds. However, Christie's, exposing this lot for sale, did not indicate the estimate - a price for which it expects to sell.