Ceramics

Ceramics are among the most frequently collected antiques. Items made from earthernware (pottery) or porcelain (hard or soft paste) can serve functional roles such as tablewares, serving implements, vases and jugs or as ornaments, especially figures.

They usually have some form of decoration, either painted or transfer-printed, that is covered in transparent or coloured glaze. Ceramics are often catalogued by the name of their manufacturer or factory such as Meissen, Worcester, Doulton, Wedgwood and Sèvres.


De Morgan tile

Group of prime period De Morgan tiles take close to six-figure sum at auction

29 April 2024

The Art & Design post 1880 sale at Duke’s in Dorchester on April 25 included 44 lots of William De Morgan tiles consigned by descendants of Arthur James Balfour (1848-1930), Earl of Balfour and prime minister from 1902-05. He is understood to have bought them directly from De Morgan in Fulham.

Blue plaque for Clarice Cliff

News in brief including a blue plaque for ceramicist Clarice Cliff

29 April 2024

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including a blue plaque adorning the Shelton home of ceramicist Clarice Cliff.

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Up with the revolution (for porcelain)

29 April 2024

Russian porcelain is still in demand, especially those early Soviet-era pieces from the years following the Revolution.

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Glass and ceramics combo makes a second appearance in West Midlands

29 April 2024

Richard Burtonshaw launched his sold-out Premier Glass Fairs event last year at the Ruskin Glass Centre in Stourbridge and now he’s back in the Midlands on Sunday, May 12.

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Massier Art Nouveau vase goes bats at auction

29 April 2024

Abell’s (25% buyer’s premium) sale in Los Angeles on April 17 included a spectacular Art Nouveau vase from the workshop of French ceramicist Clement Massier.

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Flower power: British majolica hits the bigtime in US

29 April 2024

A Copeland vase produced to mark 100 years of American Independence was among the highlights of the second tranche of the Flower collection of majolica.

April 25 Nelson Horatia Service

Nelson's Worcester teapot brings £42,000

26 April 2024

The so-called Horatia service – named after the daughter of Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton – is among the best documented commissions from the Chamberlain’s factory.

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A gift from Emma Hamilton to Nelson is among six lots to watch

22 April 2024

With estimates from £600, here are six previews of lots coming up at auction this week.

Rod Jellicoe

Obituary: Ceramics dealer Rod Jellicoe

22 April 2024

We first met Rod over 40 years ago when we both dabbled in the flea markets of the North West. Rod was forming his business from tiny seeds and we were trying to make a little profit to feed our habit (collecting pots!).

Meissen5

Merkle's Meissen figures show strength in Paris

18 April 2024

The first part of one of the finest assemblages of 18th century Meissen porcelain figures still in private hands generated a premium-inclusive €948,450 at Bonhams in Paris on April 17.

George Owen Royal Worcester finialled covered vase

George Owen Worcester wins admirers

15 April 2024

Andrew Morris spent over 30 years putting together a collection focusing on the Worcester porcelain of the Kerr and Binns and Royal Worcester periods and Leonard Joel (25% buyer’s premium) offered it at auction in Melbourne, Australia, over two days on March 25-26.

Botanical decorated Chelsea dish

European ceramics that went to Oz come back on the market

15 April 2024

Deceased estates and collectors selling up mean items collected in the late 20th century reappear at auction.

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Previews: issue 2639

15 April 2024

Our selection of lots from 13 upcoming auctions

Bonhams Nelson Horatia Teapot

Bonhams expects as best of Nelson-themed ceramics come to auction

12 April 2024

A single-owner collection of Nelson-themed ceramics and glass will be offered at Bonhams later this month.

Merkle Meissen Masonic

Outstanding Meissen figure collection comes to auction in Paris

01 April 2024

The first part of one of the finest collections of 18th century Meissen figures still in private hands will be offered at Bonhams in Paris on April 17.

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Ann and Gordon Getty lots: all gone, including the kitchen sink

01 April 2024

Doulton washroom elements provide surprise as final items from extensive collection come to auction

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Eye on an Object: Toleware candelabra and planter

01 April 2024

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

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Trough digs out another Spry auction success

01 April 2024

This large rectangular earthenware trough, measuring 20in (21cm) across the handles, is part of the range of flower containers made by the Fulham Pottery for the society florist Constance Spry (1886-1960) from the mid-1930s to the 1950s.

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Archaic style to modern taste when it comes to Clarice Cliff

01 April 2024

The Clarice Cliff, Art Deco & Design auction at Woolley & Wallis (26% buyer’s premium) in Salisbury on March 20 included this rare 10in (25cm) vase, shape no 375, decorated in the Archaic pattern mirroring a capital design from a temple in Luxor.

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‘It felt like the old heyday of Clarice’

01 April 2024

Three-hundred lot sale of the Art Deco classic shows signs of the market returning to 1990s boom time

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