A rare piece of Irish silver has sold at auction in Britain for £25,000 (€29,700).
The shallow bowl was made in Dublin during the time of Oliver Cromwell, between around 1659 and 1663.
It is the second oldest known secular Irish plate.
Only a handful of similar items are known to survive from that time and only a table salt made in Dublin in 1640 is thought to pre-date it.
The receptacle sold at auction was described as a porringer. The dishes were typically used for holding soups or stews.
Its whereabouts was unknown for almost 50 years until earlier this year when Sworders auctioneers in Stansted, Essex, were invited to appraise items of silver from the family of Colonel SL Bibby, a silver collector.
It was dubbed the IS porringer on account of its engraved initials. It is also marked with a Dublin harp.
