A SILVER tray of Chinese origins topped the list of sellers at a Moore Allen & Innocent antiques auction on Friday, February 14.

The twin handled tray was crafted by Hung Chong & Co of Shanghai and inscribed ‘Presented to GCF Russell Esq by The International Recreation Club of Tsingtao Starter Tsingtao Races 1924-1929.’

The tray marks a happier period in the life of GCF Russell, who died in captivity in a Japanese internment camp in occupied China during the Second World War.

Gardiner Russell was a trader in Tsingtao, but was arrested and interred by the Japanese after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1942.

He is believed to be the first captive to be transported to the Weihsien camp, which eventually held 1,800 Western internees, and died at the camp in 1944, at the age of 65.

The prisoners were liberated by American troops on August 17, 1945.

The tray was sold along with a pair of Edwardian silver sugar tongs, made in Chester in 1906, and a silver plated meat skewer, butter knife and paper knife. The lot achieved £1,150.

Also with a Second World War connection were three framed collections of military epaulettes, one bearing the inscription 'Kriegsmarine' - the name of the German Navy between 1935 and 1945 - another 'Kurland' - the unit formed to stall the advance of the Red Army on the Eastern Front in 1944.

Of significant interest to collectors of militaria, the lot achieved £440.

Staying in Germany, a pair of figurines from the Commedia Dell'Arte collection, by the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich, also achieved £440. And a bright red Royal Doulton flambé model of a dachshund, made £300.