Ian Curtis' kitchen table has been sold on eBay, leaving his former Joy Division bandmates angry with the seller.

Ian Curtis hanged himself in his kitchen in 1980, with the table nearby.

The table was sold by fan and collector Tel Harrop for £8,400 ($13,388). However, with just a few hours before the eBay auction ended, former Joy Division members Bernard Summer and Stephen Morris released a statement that described the sale as "distasteful and upsetting".

Issued to NME, the statement reads: "Joy Division original members Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris would like to lend their voice of support to Deborah and Natalie Curtis, who have been caused great distress over media reporting of the sale of the table originally owned by the family, and currently being auctioned on eBay."

In an interview with the magazine, Harrop explains that he is "really unhappy" that he has caused the Curtis family any distress, adding, "this band has been my life for years".

The table is significant as it was in the kitchen that Curtis hanged himself in 1980. Harrop has stated that he does not believe that it was used in his suicide, as had previously been reported.

It features in the 2007 biopic Control, which is how Harrop first came to realise its importance.

Paul Fraser Collectibles has a magnificent selection of music memorabilia for sale.