Two bidders competed to send a Chinese vase to a record 5 million Swiss francs in Geneva. The pre-sale estimate for the piece was 500 to 800 Swiss francs.

"Including the commission, the vase will cost the Asian buyer CHF6.08 million ($6.1 million)," auctioneer Olivier Fichot told the AFP news agency. 

The auction house, Genève-Enchères, had listed the piece as a 23-inch tall vase with three blue dragons on a yellow background, possibly dating from the early 20th century yet with an 18th century Qianlong seal. The auctioneer said their estimate was conservative and that the piece was difficult to date accurately.