A FASCINATING selection of Chinese artefacts collected prior to the Second World War will go under the hammer at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s next sale today (Thursday, July 5).

The high calibre items - of good colour and age - were collected by a gentleman who worked in the Far East for the British Civil Service prior to the outbreak of the war.

His son was evacuated back to Britain where it was deemed he would be safer along with some interesting bronze items.

Somerset County Gazette: HIGHLIGHT: Square waisted Chinese bronze vessel.

Among the pieces going under the hammer at the July sale are a Chinese bronze censer of rectangular form (above) with two upright chanelled handles, raised on four cabriole suports, remains of paper label to interior, on conforming carved wooden stand. It is guided at £200-£300.

Another Chinese bronze censer from the same source will also be included in the sale. This is of circular form with twin angular lug handles, on three feet. It has a pre-sale estimate of £100-£150.

Somerset County Gazette: FAR EAST: Chinese bronze censer, which goes under the hammer at Greenslade Taylor Hunt today (Thursday).

Finally a Chinese bronze vessel of square waisted form (above), with mask handles to each corner, diaper border to rim and base is expected to be another highlight of the Oriental section. It is guided at £100-£150.