Decorative Art

MADAM – It was good to see Alan Sturrock’s robust and considered appeal for a greater understanding of the significance of Staffordshire figures in the markets (ATG 2457).

When, following the October Revolution of 1917, the Bolshevik government took control of the Imperial Porcelain Factory, large quantities of glazed but unpainted white hard-paste porcelain plates, cups and saucers remained at the site.

This 4in (10cm) silver snuff box offered for sale at Veilinghuis de Jager in Goes, Zeeland was the subject of a learned article in the January-February Ghendtsche Tydingen, the magazine of the Ghent history society.

Pook & Pook’s online decorative arts auction in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, on September 17 will include several lots of the Staffordshire pottery Foley Intarsio ware.

A 176-lot group of Meissen and other European porcelain from the collection of Dr Siegfried Ducret, consigned from the estate of Rosmarie Schmidt-Ducret, will be offered at auction by Koller in Zurich on September 24.

The Staffordshire Figure Association is hoping to drum up some interest with the creation of this postcard available to buyers and sellers of Staffordshire figures.

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

Though the first human in-socket artificial eyes were created by Venetian glassmakers c.16th century, the earliest evidence of ocular prosthesis was found in a female burial plot in Shahr-I Sokhta, Iran – dating back to 2900-2800 BC.

This lustre vase decorated by Richard Joyce for Pilkington Royal Lancastrian dates from c.1915.

This Mintons Pâte-sur-Pâte plaque, dated to c.1900, decorated by Marc-Louis Solon will feature in Weschler’s Capital Collections auction to be held in Rockville, Maryland, on September 18.

This George III Sheffield plated tea machine from c.1790 comprises a hot water urn with a domed cover and a telescoping finial with steam vent, as well as a pair of tea urns, all engraved with the Clan Colville crest and motto 'Oblier ne puis'.

On October 6 Susanin’s in Chicago will be offering a 132-lot auction of British and American studio ceramics from the Estate of Patricia Nicol Barnes featuring works by a wide range of different artists.

MADAM – I hope your readers can help me track down a few items. I am trying to find some old Wedgwood Flaxman chess pieces from about 1825-70. I have been trying to complete this set for more than 40 years.

This George I provincial silver coffee pot c.1720, offered by Elstob & Elstob (22% buyer’s premium) in Ripon on August 20, is a great rarity.

In the hierarchy of Royal Worcester fruit painters Frank Roberts (1857-1920) comes close to the top.

At the very beginning of July, Adam Partridge in Liverpool sold an early 20th century Spode cup and saucer to a highly desirable ‘liner china’ pattern for £8400.

Delay due to lockdown turns out to be a blessing in disguise in terms of consignments

MADAM – Just to add to the provenance of the newly discovered Scottish disc-end spoon in your most recent edition (Pick of the week, ATG No 2456, sold at Lyon & Turnbull for £21,000).

This 12in (39cm) Portobello pottery plaque piece, c.1820, is a rare piece but one known in a number of different colour variations.

MADAM – I have written on a previous occasion to the ATG in my capacity as president of the Staffordshire Figure Association and on behalf of its members, and indeed others who buy (or, should I say, would like to buy) Staffordshire figures at auction.