A RARE silver teapot found behind tins in a kitchen cupboard has been sold for almost five times its estimate.

The teapot was discovered during a house clearance in Salisbury following the death of the homeowner.

Dealers from across the country battled it out for the rare item which was eventually sold for £3,900 – exceeding the around £800 guide price given by Netherhampton Salesroom.

Consultant Philip Rance told the Salisbury Journal that when he came across the teapot following the house clearance he was amazed to discover something so rare.

“It is rare when things of that calibre are discovered so it is very difficult to put a valuation on it but we did contact collectors in Scotland and dealers in Aberdeen to tell them about the sale but it was eventually bought by a London dealer.

“It is certainly one of the best finds I have identified in my career in silver.”

It is believed that the silver teapot was used by its former owner for many years to the surprise of staff at the auction house.

“It was heavily marked and we sold exactly how it had come out of the kitchen cupboard – we believe the elderly lady used it for her early morning cuppa,” Mr Rance added.

The early George II Scottish provincial silver bullet teapot was made by George Cooper of Aberdeen, somewhere from 1730 to 1785.

“By the way the marks have been struck for the design it is probable that the teapot was made very early on in his career rather than later.”

The auction catalogued added that the teapot had a “tapering spout, the shoulder and hinged lid with a band of foliage, a silver leaf capped scroll handle, on a circular moulded spreading foot”.

Mr Rance said during the house clearance that a number of other interesting items were found which also exceeded expectations at the auction.