16th century globe bought at an antiques fair for £150 during the pandemic has sold for £116,000 ($154,200 after sparking a worldwide bidding war.
Report informs, citing Evening Standard, that the carved wood and paper sphere, which dates to either the 1550s or the 1560s, was found after being brought by its owner to a free valuation event, Hansons Auctioneers said.
At the time it was made, no European had set foot on or even sighted Australia and the landmass is missing from the artefact.
The globe was originally in the collection of Major Edward Croft-Murray, former keeper of prints and drawings at the British Museum, before being bought by its current owner.
It is thought to be either the work of Francois Demongenet, a French physicist and geographer, or derived from one of his designs, said Jim Spencer of Derbyshire-based Hansons.