Ceramics

Ceramics are among the most frequently collected antiques. Items made from earthernware (pottery) or porcelain (hard or soft paste) can serve functional roles such as tablewares, serving implements, vases and jugs or as ornaments, especially figures.

They usually have some form of decoration, either painted or transfer-printed, that is covered in transparent or coloured glaze. Ceramics are often catalogued by the name of their manufacturer or factory such as Meissen, Worcester, Doulton, Wedgwood and Sèvres.


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Lovely bubbly: cheers to the charitable froth blowers

11 September 2023

The Ancient Order of Froth Blowers was a British charitable organisation established in the decade after the First World War ‘to foster the noble Art and gentle and healthy Pastime of froth blowing among Gentlemen of-leisure and ex-Soldiers’.

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Studio pottery in focus at North Yorkshire’s Thirsk Hall

04 September 2023

This stoneware cream glaze vase, c.1960, by Bernard Leach (1887- 1979) is included in the programme of exhibitions at Willoughby Gerrish this autumn.

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Earthly pleasures: Avisseau's basin draws dramatic bidding at Strawser’s auction

28 August 2023

This Palissy-style ‘art of the earth’ basin is inscribed and dated 'Avisseau, Tours, 1856' for Charles-Jean Avisseau (1795-1861).

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Literary agent Pollinger's collection sheds light on Alcock pottery

28 August 2023

A large collection of porcelain from the factory of Samuel Alcock (1799-1848) amassed by a well-known literary agent is coming up for sale.

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William and Mary portraits drive delftware demand

28 August 2023

Dated and inscribed and royal portrait subjects are the most desirable classes of early delftware

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Parcours prepares for action once again

28 August 2023

The Parcours de la Céramique et des Arts du Feu is an annual gallery-based event in Paris focusing on a broad range of ceramics and glass, both antique and modern, from Europe and Asia

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Salisbury sale includes pieces from the Jonathan Horne collection

28 August 2023

The glass and ceramics sales held by Woolley & Wallis usually include several designated single-owner collections and properties and the September 19 auction is no exception

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Doulton jug does its Nelson duty

28 August 2023

The salt-glazed portrait jug of Nelson by Doulton & Watts of Lambeth is considered the first character jug made by Doulton

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Goss Harvard rarity emerges in a group lot

28 August 2023

Forty years ago, the market for crested china was booming – the subject of specialist sales, annual price guides and an international collecting base

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‘I outgrew my china cabinet years ago – a vast army is slowly advancing towards me across the carpet’

28 August 2023

We chat to a collector whose political and royal commemorative ceramics mean he can 'survey three centuries of British history in a single glance'

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Desirable Doulton: inkwells and ashtray

28 August 2023

The most eagerly contested lot in a recent sale at Potteries Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) was a Doulton stoneware Isobath inkwell.

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Sip soup from a Minton boar’s head

28 August 2023

The boar’s head tureen with matching stand is considered the rarest of all the game tureens made by the Minton factory in its colourful majolica range.

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Mason’s shows signs of making a collecting comeback

28 August 2023

Is Mason’s ironstone going through a collecting Renaissance? Well, perhaps

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Bizarre beast catches the attention

28 August 2023

A curious pearlware pottery hybrid animal with the head of a sheep and body of a winged fish proved a popular entry at Toovey’s (24.5% buyer’s premium).

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Sale underlines stateside popularity of Wedgwood

28 August 2023

Wedgwood has long been such a popular collecting strand in the US that it is no surprise to see quantities reappear on the market at auction, either as mixed-owner consignments or single-owner collections

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Dutch lot bowls over bidders

28 August 2023

This 12in (30.5cm) diameter Dutch delft bowl was a high-flyer at Rob Michiels (30% buyer’s premium inc VAT) in Bruges.

Chelsea porcelain vase

Chelsea ‘Gold Anchor’ vase joins portrait bought by V&A

21 August 2023

The Victoria and Albert Museum has bought the only known version of a vase produced by the Chelsea porcelain factory during its ‘Gold Anchor’ period.

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Rare Royal Doulton Spook figure emerges at Hollywood sale

21 August 2023

Not to be confused with the modern limited edition toby jugs of the same name, the Royal Doulton figure Spook is among the most desirable models in all the HN series.

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Buteux ice pail carries a cool musical motif

21 August 2023

This 18th century Sèvres soft-paste porcelain ice pail (seau à glace) carries the date letter 'O' for 1767 and a tiny painter’s mark of an anchor for Charles Buteux Sr (1719-82).

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Moorcroft offers multiple charms for collectors

21 August 2023

With its long and varied production lines Moorcroft remains a stalwart of Design auctions.

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