Ceramics

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Kate Davson (Kate Foster), who died peacefully at home last month of cancer at the age of 82.

This Minton majolica figure of a 12in (30cm) dancing bear playing a drum kit carries a patent lozenge for May 1876.

This Martin Brothers stoneware model of a tortoise with a mirthful face was a very welcome discovery for auctioneer Rupert Toovey on a post-lockdown valuation in the Surrey Hills.

Edward Haughey, Baron Ballyedmond (1944-2014) – the founder of the Norbrook pharmaceutical group in Northern Ireland – proved just as influential in the world of politics as he was in business.

Around the year 1904, during the Second Period of Belleek production in Fermanagh, Ulster, designer William Harris designed the Five O’Clock pattern.

This Meissen porcelain teapot from c.1722 will feature in the sale series to be held by Hargesheimer of Dusseldorf from September 10-12.