Decorative Art

A new auction record for the idiosyncratic stonewares of the Martin brothers was established at Phillips’ Design sale in New York.

For 30 years the London lawyer David Cooper and his wife Marie devoted themselves to building a collection of Art Deco sculpture.

A rare Sampson Mordan gilt-mounted porcelain scent bottle features at the next Galloway Antiques Fair, which takes place at The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate from January 4-6.

A lavish Viennese gold-mounted porcelain tureen and stand – the epitome of Habsburg court luxury during the reign of the Holy Roman emperor Charles VI – topped Bonhams’ Fine European Ceramics sale in London on December 6.

Mark West deals in 18th, 19th and 20th century glass designed to be used. He will exhibit at The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair from January 10-13, 2019.

The second stock sale from the French ceramics specialist Christophe Perlès was held at Drouot by Pescheteau-Badin (26% buyer’s premium inc VAT) on November 26.

On the market for the first time in at least 60 years, and in some cases for more than a century, a small collection of 17th and 18th century silver accounted for a fraction of the lots but 20% of the total at the two-day winter sale at Canterbury Auction Galleries (24% buyer’s premium).

The bronze pieces produced by Rene Lalique are perhaps less well-known than the master’s jewellery and glass but seldom so under-rated that they are consigned to the dustbin, as was the case with this c.1910 hand mirror, below.

Very much a buyer’s market these days, English ceramics in their various forms are affordable to collectors on modest budgets.

It is 40 years since 19th century potlids were the collectables of choice but there is still a very active market for them.

Keith Richards Antiques brings a selection of early 20th century silver modelled on historic pieces to the first 2019 staging of The Cotswolds Decorative Antiques & Art Fair at Westonbirt School.

A pair of William IV candelabra from the Pembroke service led Bonhams’ Important Design: 500 Years of Fine Decorative Arts sale on November 21, selling at £190,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium).

Believed to be unique, this grimacing stoneware dog jar and lid from the Martin Brothers pottery is up for auction at Salisbury saleroom Woolley & Wallis on December 12.

MADAM – Here is a medal whose origin I can’t figure out (above). It was found in northern Norway.

Jean Lurçat’s 'Sun Dancer', c.1955, is from a range of vibrant ceramics that the French artist produced during the 1950s, many of which are now on offer in Whitford Fine Art’s exhibition Poetry in Motion.