A JAPANESE bronze model of a curlew caused a flurry at a recent auction when it sold for more than £2,000.

The item was auctioned as part of the Addisons of Barnard Castle’s Spring Catalogue Sale and soared well over its price estimate of £300 to £400.

The 24cm-high patinated bronze statuette, which depicts the bird standing with one foot raised on a carved hardwood stand, is thought to have originated from the Meiji period (1868-1912) and attracted fierce bidding at the auction.

The curlew was one of several oriental items that did exceptionally well at the sale held on March 5 and was sold for £2,100.

Two South East Asian bronze heads of Buddha, probably from the 19th century, more than doubled their price estimate when they sold for £700.

A set of Chinese gilt and polychrome carved wooden figures of the Eight Immortals, thought to have originated from the late 19th century, also made a good price when they were knocked down for £800.

Other items of note included a Japanese carved ivory okimono of a lady standing holding a basket of flowers with a child seated by her side selling for £400 and a Chinese cloisonné enamel box decorated with a pheasant in flight that reached £260.

“We are delighted with these results that clearly demonstrate the continuing strong market for oriental items,” said Auctioneer and Valuer William McNab.

“Competition for higher quality lots in particular is particularly great with bids coming in from across the globe for these types of object.”