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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Female ceramics designer shone in Copenhagen

27 October 2025

Around 1900, the majority of women employed in the ceramic industry worked solely in the decoration department, more often than not as painters.

delftware shoes

Stolen 17th century delftware shoes reunited with owner

21 October 2025

A pair of late 17th century delftware shoes that were stolen six year ago have been reunited with their owner thanks to the actions of a Wiltshire auctioneer.

Clare Durham

Clare Durham to lead ceramics and glass department in Devizes

20 October 2025

Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes is establishing a dedicated ceramics and glass department, after appointing specialist valuer and cataloguer Clare Durham.

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Adelsberger second slice offers extensive selection of 19th and 20th century porcelain

20 October 2025

In the extensive sale of October 22-25, Wendl in Rudolstadt will be selling the second tranche of the porcelain collection amassed by Kurt Adelsberger.

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Casket once owned by a cardinal stars in wide-ranging Swiss auction

20 October 2025

Example made in Gujarat or Goa goes to a Portuguese buyer

De Morgan vase

Single-owner William De Morgan pottery collection takes flight at Guernsey auction

13 October 2025

Evans family collection of William De Morgan pottery brings keen interest at Martel Maides in St Peter Port

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Small but exceptional Doulton group emerge at Adam Partridge

13 October 2025

Just 30 figures from single owner collection offered in Cheshire saleroom rack up nearly £60,000 total

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Sèvres bottle coolers sell to French bidder at 20 times the top estimate

13 October 2025

A pair of 7in (17cm) Sèvres porcelain bottle coolers (seau à bouteille) sold for £6000 as part of Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) recent Country House Sale.

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Teapots galore served in sale

06 October 2025

The owners of Kent’s Teapot Island museum are selling their collection of more than 8500 novelty teapots, thought to be the second-largest group in the world.

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ATG letter: That’s a commendable Carlton Ware price but not a record – we set that back in 2000

06 October 2025

I read with interest about the Carlton Ware Babylon pattern coffee set that has recently sold at Peebles Auction House for £7700, a great price indeed for recent times (Pick of the week, News Digest, ATG No 2711).

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William De Morgan Persian decorated vase is among five lots to watch

29 September 2025

With estimates from £1200, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

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Very different styles of Meissen

29 September 2025

Vase and clock produced around the same time nevertheless display significant design variation

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Art Nouveau 'fishing' vase sells at six times estimate

29 September 2025

On numerous occasions, Théodore Deck, who has often been called the father of Art Nouveau ceramics, collaborated with the sculptor and designer Joseph Chéret, brother of the painter and lithographer Jules Chéret.

Zsolnay Vase IE

Mighty mice: Zsolany vase taken to €24,000

29 September 2025

In 1896, Vilmós Zsolnay, director of the eponymous ceramics factory in the south-western Hungarian city of Pécs in Hungary, presented his newly invented Eosin lustre glaze at the National Millenium Exhibition in Budapest.

Carlton Ware

Pick of the week: Sensational bidding for Carlton Ware ceramics in the Scottish Borders

22 September 2025

One of the strongest sums for Carlton Ware in recent times has been set in the Scottish Borders.

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New views on old Willow and processes of cultural exchange

22 September 2025

An exhibition at the Spode Museum devoted to the near-ubiquitous Willow pattern is bringing together two world cities bound by a unique shared heritage

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White gloves for the Tony Martin collection

22 September 2025

Stock and private collection of Cornwall dealer brings the crowds back to Plymouth

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Rosenthal rides in with an ostrich

22 September 2025

Having produced tableware for over 25 years, the Bavarian porcelain manufacturer Rosenthal established an artistic department in 1908.

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Looe customs in the 18th century

22 September 2025

Back in July 2008 a rare Bristol delftware plate surfaced for sale. Decorated in the bianco sopra bianco style, it featured a bold image of a man on horseback and was inscribed 'A. Bosavern, Looe 1763'.

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French studio pottery stands out in dealer collection sale in New York

22 September 2025

Bonhams New York is staging The Jason Jacques Collection, the final sale of the art dealer and gallerist’s “extraordinary” collection.

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