Lankan pipe case fetches record price

An intricately carved Sri Lankan pipe case from the 17th Century has been sold at an auction in London which is one of only four still believed to be in existence.

The Sri Lankan ivory double-pipe case was sold for Sterling Pound 51,650 (US$ 80,300) - far higher than its estimate of Sterling Pound 8,000,12,000 (US$ 12,400-US$ 18,600), the BBC reported.

It is thought that only four examples are in existence today.

One is in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London while two further examples are in the De Moriaan Museum in the Netherlands.

The 21 (53cm) long ancient pipe case is described by Christie's as having a "hinged end surmounted by a lion", with a hasp and hinge in engraved brass.