The 350-lot auction held by Cottee's (15% buyer's premium) in Wareham, Dorset on May 13 was this 14½in (37cm) dish decorated by Tony Morris during his early period at the factory.
The dish, decorated in tones of blue, green and uranium orange, is one of a series of designs which were derived from Poole Council town plans and, particularly striking on its white ground.
Although unsigned it has been authenticated by Morris and illustrated in both Poole Pottery by Leslie Hayward and Paul Atterbury and the exhibition Poole Pottery Studio in the 1960s held by London dealer Harry Lyons in 1993. It made £1000.
The classic Carter Stabler Adams Art Deco wares, once the standard by which all other Poole prices were judged, have fallen away in recent years as the hardened band of buyers have become more selective.
Nevertheless a £1000 bid (estimate £500-800) was received for a stepped, twin-handled vase (shape 973) decorated by Anne Hatchard in the so-called BT pattern while the artist's 10in (25cm) vase (shape 910) in theLWpattern sold for £750.
Prices for Barbara Linley Adams' large animals and birds have also dropped. Once these frequently sold in the £500-1000 bracket with the model of theBarred Owlbringing £400-500. In this sale three of these were on offer, two in brown stoneware selling for £120 and £130 and another in white bone china with gilt painted eyes and claws selling for £180.
However, £920 was bid by a collector in Australia for an example of the limited edition Canada Goose. Offered here with the original signed certificate recording it as number 326 of the 500 made, the estimate had been £300-500.
A prototype figure of the jockey Sir Gordon Richards in blue and white racing colours sold for £400. Designed and modelled by Harold Brownsword and painted by Margaret Holder c.1930- 1932, this previously unknown model (verified by Leslie Hayward) had come to sale from the family of the original owner.
