When the Troika pottery in Newlyn closed its doors in 1983 its moulds were secured for posterity, not in a local museum or the collection of a Troika devotee but in a garden shed in Northumberland.
There, save a quiet attempt to find a buyer for the whole
collection and occasional exhibition loans, they have resided for
over a decade, in which time interest in Troika has risen
steadily.
Prices remain volatile but four-figure sums are not uncommon for
the landmark pieces.
It is, he says, with some trepidation that North East auctioneer
Jim Railton offers for sale ten of the moulds as part of a
three-day auction at Brancepeth Castle from November 11-13. The
lots include the original two-piece moulds for now iconic Newlyn
period models, including the face-mask and the anvil vase but -
given the potential for reproduction and deception - he
acknowledges that there are some in the collecting community who
believe such things should either be smashed or donated to a
museum.
Pricing the moulds is not an easy task (and the vendors are
evidently not prepared to pitch them low and let the market
decide), but Mr Railton believes some of the major moulds should
attract interest in the £2000-3000 price bracket.
A quantity of undecorated biscuit-fired Troika from the same
source is also included in the sale that is the first Mr Railton
has chosen to list live on eBay. Contact 01668 215323 for more
information.
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