Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe LONDON, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A 1,000-year-old carved rock crystal pitcher once thought to be a worthless wine carafe sold at Christie's auction house in London for more than $5 million. The carved rock crystal pitcher was believed to be a cheap French claret jug when it was originally put up for sale in Somerset, England, The Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday. Advertisement Instead of being worthless, it turned out the pitcher, also known as a ewer, was made for the court of the Fatimid rulers of Egypt around the late 10th or early 11th century. Ewers were carved from a single piece of flawless rock crystal which was hollowed out. It is believed to be one of only seven surviving pieces of its kind and one of the most desirable works of Islamic art. The piece was purchased by an anonymous bidder for $5,570,213, including the buyer's premium, on Tuesday.
