When asked to value more than 700 pieces of Burmantofts faience for sale he required little encouragement. “I’m in the car, I will see you soon,“ was his reply.
The Salisbury auctioneers will offer the remarkable collection in a 300-lot single catalogue sale on June 22. Jeffery describes it as “one of, if not the finest, collections of Burmantofts put together by a private individual”.
The sale covers all aspects of the Leeds factory’s output including tiles, architectural panels and conservatory heaters plus myriad monochrome vases and grotesque fantasies.
Other highlights include major signed works in the Anglo-Persian style by Leonard King (including a Venus charger last sold by 1818 Auctioneers in Cumbria in 2015), a celebrated Peacock jardiniere and stand that formed part of the Harriman Judd sale and a series of chargers by William J Neatby, the artist best known for his designs for the tiles in Harrods’ food hall.
In the light of a big test for a niche market, most are offered with sensible estimates.
Highlights from the collection can be viewed at the firm’s London office (17 Clifford Street) this week on June 7-8.
