THE 16-lot section devoted to Martin Brothers art pottery at Bonhams' latest Ceramic Design sale provided a number of the notable results.
There was only one of the bird figures that are the holy grail
for collectors in this field at the auction in New Bond Street on
March 16.
This was a 11¾in (30cm) high version signed and dated 1889 that
came with the bonus of a very attractive £6000-8000 estimate, which
it duly doubled at £15,000.
But there were some good examples of other Martinware work.
These included a large 13¾in (35cm) high version of one of their
fish vases, painted with characteristic piscine grotesques on a
buff ground and signed and dated 1889, that realised £7000.
There was also a much less characteristic Martinware subject, a
pair of 14½in (37cm) high, buff glazed figures of stoneware lions
monogrammed WEM, signed and dated 1896-7.
These got away at the lower end of their £15,000-20,000
estimate, a reflection partly of their restored condition but also
perhaps the fact that they are not typical Martinware
creations.
The buyer's premium was 20/12%.
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