Discovered hidden in a 19th-century cabinet, the 18th-century fruit from 1739 became the star of the auction, fetching a over 23 times its estimated price.

The auction house had initially placed a conservative estimate of £40-£60 on the lemon, intending to add a touch of amusement to the event. However, a surprising “bidding war” ensued, propelling the final price to £1,400.

This deep-brown intact lemon bears the inscription “Given by Mr P Lu Franchini Nov 4, 1739, to Miss E Baxter”, hinting at its potential origins as a romantic gift from India, Fox Business reports.

The auction house’s founder, David Brettell, expressed astonishment at the unprecedented nature of the auction item. He said: “You’ll never see an object like this at auction again.”