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Sri Lankan pipe case sells for record price in UK

An intricately carved Sri Lankan pipe case from the 17th Century has been sold at an auction in London.

The Sinhalese ivory double-pipe case was sold for £51,650 ($80,300) - far higher than its estimate of £8,000-£12,000 ($12,400-$18,600).

The UK buyer who purchased it wanted to stay anonymous, a spokeswoman from Christie's told BBC News.

The case was part of a collection of unusual smoking pipes to be sold by the auction house.

It is thought that only four examples are in existence today....
Read entire article at BBC