AN 18th century Lowestoft flask made waves in London this week when it sold for a record price.The blue and white piece of Lowestoft Porcelain went under the hammer at Bonhams, in New Bond Street, on Wednesday, and shocked sale room specialists when it went for a record breaking price of �28,800.

AN 18th century Lowestoft flask made waves in London this week when it sold for a record price.

The blue and white piece of Lowestoft Porcelain went under the hammer at Bonhams, in New Bond Street, on Wednesday, and shocked sale room specialists when it went for a record breaking price of �28,800. There were also three other lots that surpassed the auctioneers' previous record of around �13,000.

The important flask from around 1780 shows a ship being built on a Lowestoft beach, while on the reverse side a three-masted vessel sails with a flotilla in choppy waters. It was conservatively estimated to sell for up to �10,000, but instead floated away for the record-breaking price.

The antique was part of a sale by ceramics expert Geoffrey Godden. Mr Godden is renowned as a leader in the field but had decided to part with his cherished blue and white china on turning 80 years old - some 65 years after he bought his first piece.

Over 200 lots went under the hammer, with the total of �605,850 far surpassing the estimated total.

The other Lowestoft Porcelain items to appear in the top 10 lots were an important Lowestoft spoon tray from around 1757, which went for �19,200; a very rare Lowestoft toy teapot and cover from around 1770, which went for �18,000, and a fine pair of Lowestoft tea canisters from around 1763 that went for �13,800.