The sale in question was held by iGavel Auctions, offering Asian, Ancient and Ethnographic Works of Art. The online sale, based in New York City, closed on May 13 with 319 lots sold.

The highest lot sold had 36 bids and reached a price of $990,000: a large Chinese Porcelain Figure of Amitayus - one of the three deities of long life - on Lotus Base, from the 18th-19th century.

Meanwhile, the second highest lot was a Chinese Green, White and Russet Jadeite Carved Table Screen, 20th century which achieved a selling price of over $385,000 with 48 bids.

Amitayus, one of the three deities of long life

Overall, 12 lots from the auction achieved prices above $50,000 each and had over 320 bids placed. Highlights included a Chinese Green and Lavender Jadeite Dragon Decorated Vase, 20th century which sold for over $117,000.

iGavel, which describes its team of sellers as "a select group of international dealers, non-profit organisations, and regional auction houses," includes President Lark E. Mason among its ranks.

Mr Mason was formerly a Senior Vice President with Sotheby's Chinese Works of Art Department, and a Director of Online Auctions for Sothebys.com, and frequently appears on national and international media as a guest appraiser.