A FARMER from Aldbourne who spent years collecting Chinese antiques is expected to make his family a £20 million fortune when it sells at auction.

Roger Pilkington, of Ford Farm, who died in 1969 aged 40, paid as little as £100 per item and accumulated around 100 pieces of the Chinese ceramics in the late 1950s and early 60s. He bought the items from the Tang, Song, Ming and Qing dynasties of China, which spanned from 618 to 1912, paying sums of £100 (£3,000 today) right up to £5,000 (£140,000 today) for higher end items.

But the value of Asian antiques has shot up in recent years as the Chinese set about buying back their heritage which was taken out of the Far East by westerners in the 19th century.

When Mr Pilkington died his ‘time capsule’ collection has remained in his family ever since and will be sold by them at auctioneers Sotheby’s.

Leading the sale is a 15th century Chenghua blue and white ‘Palace Bowl’ that was made for an Emperor in the Ming dynasty and is estimated to sell for up to £6 million alone.

Another key item is a 15th century blue and white Ritual Holy Water Vessel from the Yongle period valued at up to £4 million, which would have been used during ceremonial occasions. The vessel is so rare that there are only two companion pieces in the world, one housed in the Palace Museum, Beijing.

Other highlights of the collection include another 15th century Yongle piece - a Blue and White Moonflask, valued at £3 million and an ‘exceptional and rare’ Incised White-Glazed Vase at £80,000.

“The Pilkington Collection contains extraordinarily rare items, of a kind seldom seen together on the market,” said Nicolas Chow, deputy chairman of Sotheby’s Asia.

“We expect to see enormous enthusiasm for this landmark collection.”

Mr Pilkington, who was educated at Eton and was part of a family who owned a well-known glass-making firm, is described as one of the ‘most eminent and active’ collectors of his time.

After working for the company in Lancashire glassmaker he moved with his wife, Maureen, to Ford Farm in Aldbourne, where he farmed.

The Pilkington Collection auction will be held in Hong Kong on April 6.