Roman emperor broken marble bust found in a house clearance sells for £160,000 

A marble bust of a Roman emperor unearthed in a house clearance has sold for almost £160,000 – despite having a huge crack in its neck.

Experts did not think the 2ft bust of the first Roman Emperor Augustus would sell for more than £10,000.

They also believed the item dated from the 19th century, but the global interest suggests it is older.

It sparked a massive bidding war and sold for almost 16 times its estimate. 

The anonymous successful bidder paid a hammer price of £129,000 but with fees, the total was £157,000. Liz Dashper-Johnson, of Sheffield Auction Gallery, said: ‘We did not anticipate just what an important piece it would prove to be.’