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Lowestoft Porcelain Factory

East Anglia’s contribution to the history of English porcelain comes from the port of Lowestoft in Suffolk. This was where a factory was established in the 1750s which continued until the early 1800s, producing tablewares and some purely decorative pieces, decorated in underglaze blue or polychrome enamels.

A distinguishing feature is that many of the wares bear inscriptions and dates which adds a premium with collectors.

Sully surfaces for a £17,000 sale

19 August 2019

Clock produced by Englishman influential in French horology impresses in Norfolk auction.

Dearth of dedicated sales but rich pickings still emerge at multi-discipline auctions

06 May 2019

While dedicated sales of English and Continental ceramics are rarer beasts in the saleroom calendar these days, the traditional mixed-discipline regional sales are a repository for plenty of material from the main factories of the 18th and 19th centuries.

More Lowestoft at Keys includes rare inkwell

06 May 2019

Keys’ fine sale on July 24-26 will include more examples of porcelain from the local Lowestoft factory.

Lowestoft rarities emerge at Keys in Aylsham

18 March 2019

The March Fine Sale at Keys in Aylsham, the first since a management buyout, includes both a group of Lowestoft rarities and pieces by other factories.

Auction house Keys plans for future after split from parent company

14 January 2019

Norfolk auction house Keys has marked the end of its 65th year in business by gaining independence from its estate agency parent company.

Lowestoft cat gets the cream

19 March 2018

Despite their small size and often unsophisticated appearance, Lowestoft models of animals are highly collectable.

Polarised market for English ceramics highlighted by single-owner sales in Exeter and Derby

19 March 2018

Collecting traditional English ceramics is still a popular pursuit on both sides of the Atlantic – but one where purchases are always tailored to fit the purse strings of the core collecting audience.

Lowestoft musicians play £4000 part in Keys’ sale

14 August 2017

A pair of white glazed figures of musicians made by the Lowestoft factory c.1770 sold for £4000 at the July 18 sale at Keys (plus 20% buyer’s premium) of Aylsham.

Rare Lowestoft porcelain objects highlight of Norfolk auction

22 July 2017

A pair of white glazed figures of musicians made by the Lowestoft factory c.1770, sold for £4000 (plus 20% buyer’s premium) at the July 18 sale at Keys of Aylsham. The pair – perhaps the first to come onto the market for at least 30 years – provided the highlight of more than 100 lots of Lowestoft porcelain.

Rare Lowestoft emerges at auction

10 July 2017

Following a near sell-out auction of Lowestoft in March at Keys of Aylsham, another tranche is poised to go under the saleroom’s hammer.

Fleecy does it for Lowestoft joys sold in Norfolk

02 May 2017

What Aylsham auction house Keys (20% buyer’s premium) considered one of the largest private collections of Lowestoft ever to come to market was a near sell-out on March 21.

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Lowestoft birth tablet takes £7400

15 January 2014

English porcelain birth tablets are unique to Lowestoft – and one of many pieces that give the factory’s wares such a profound sense of time and place.

A high tide for Lowestoft with new record for local favourite

26 November 2011

Lowestoft porcelain specialist and Suffolk auctioneer Russell Sprake marked 50 years in the auction business last month with perhaps his finest ever sale – and a record price for the factory at auction.

50th anniversary sale a landmark for Lowestoft

27 September 2011

Lowestoft porcelain specialist and Suffolk auctioneer Russell Sprake is marking 50 years in the auction business this month with perhaps his finest ever sale.

A double helping of Lowestoft

09 July 2011

The auction of British ceramics at Bonhams on May 18 was the first at New Bond Street for six months and it was a big ensemble made up of the usual range of single-owner collections mingled with material from various vendors.

More than small beer in Lowestoft

22 November 2008

Latest results now prompt a rethink in London on English porcelain as East Anglian enthusiasts take pride in collecting local factory’s output.

Many happy returns – Lowestoft birth tablet trebles price in decade

20 November 2006

The highlight of the Lowestoft porcelain sale conducted by enthusiast Russell H. Sprake at The Beaconsfield Club, Lowestoft on the evening of October 27 was this rare blue and white birth tablet.

Flawed but valuable documentary

18 January 2005

Top Right: it may be badly damaged but this 4 1/2in (10.5cm) high Lowestoft blue and white teapot and cover is an exceptionally rare and documentary piece.

Lowestoft cider mug is star of sale

10 August 2004

PART of the large consignment of 18th century English porcelain from a local, mid-Wales private vendor, this 18th century underglaze blue painted Lowestoft cider mug, offered as the final lot in Brightwells’ Ceramics and Glass sale in Leominster on July 21, proved to be the star of the sale.

Limehouse pickle is a £4200 dish

02 June 2004

THE market’s mood for the earliest English porcelain was in evidence at the April 27 sale held by Brettells (12% buyer’s premium) of Newport. The Shropshire firm offered a 16-lot private collection of mainly Worcester wares.

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