A 17th century carved chimneypiece from part of Cobtree Manor which had lain in a garden for years has sold at auction for more than £10,000.

The limestone fireplace once stood in a wing of the historic house, which was featured in Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers, and was demolished in 1968 when dry rot was discovered.

It had been given a guide price of between £600 and £800, partly as it needed extensive restoration.

The piece, which had been acquired by the current owner shortly afterwards, had lain exposed to the elements for years, before being moved into his cellar for several decades.

Previously thought lost, its appearance in the sale produced a flurry of excitement from buyers.

It was sold at Canterbury Auction Galleries for £10,500, after being snapped up by a dealer specialising in architectural salvage, who was bidding on the internet.

The auctioneer’s report on the condition of the piece, circulated to buyers, made sobering reading. It said: “There are two cracks which run vertically through the frieze to the left of centre. One break has been stapled, (an early means of repairing a break) although the lower wrought iron staple is missing. The crack nearest the centre, and running to the right of the supporter, is open. The surface of the stone is degraded in places and very soft. There is general wear to the stone throughout and some small elements have been made up with cement at some earlier stage.”

It was made in the Inigo Jones style, the lintel deeply carved with a frieze of foliage and birds, the centre with crest with “Fabulous beast” supporters to either side, the side pieces with fruit and leaves tied with a ribbon and suspended from a ring.

Charles Dickens came across Cobtree Manor while skating on a pond but fell through the ice into freezing water. He sought help from the manor’s owner, William Spong, and the two became friends. Later he used the manor as Manor Farm in Dingley Dell in Pickwick Papers and Mr Spong became old Mr Wardle.

Years later, owner Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake, who was Mayor of Maidstone 12 times, ran the largest private zoo in Europe from the site.

he died in 1964, leaving the estate in a charitable trust for the benefit of local people, which is still maintained by Maidstone council.

His wife, Lady Edna, continued to live there after his death and when one wing was demolished, the chimneypiece was recovered and given to its present owner by her, who later consigned it to his garden.