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.


Bottger Meissen tea set

Pick of the week: Meissen made with a homely touch

06 September 2021

This near-complete Böttger Meissen tea set, c.1725, came for sale at Keys of Aylsham on September 1.

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Bonnie Prince Charlie’s pre-Culloden meal

06 September 2021

On April 14, 1746, two days before the battle that would seal his fate, Charles Edward Stuart held a lavish meal at Culloden House, the highland estate owned by Hanoverian loyalist Duncan Forbes (1685-1747) that had recently been commandeered by Jacobite forces.

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Oppenheimer collection at Sotheby's includes Meissen created for founder of the factory Augustus the Strong

30 August 2021

On September 14 Sotheby’s New York will be offering a select auction of early Meissen porcelain that includes pieces created for the collections of Augustus the Strong, who founded the famous factory.

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Game for a George Jones pie

30 August 2021

More than 200 lots of paintings, furniture and works of art from a number of different consignors will be on offer in Cottone’s auction on September 18.

Jar

Pick of the week: Drake jar sets US ceramics record

23 August 2021

The record for American ceramics – previously held by Salisbury’s Woolley & Wallis – was smashed this month by a ‘Dave the Slave’ jar.

Teapot

Superb collection of British commemorative ceramics comes to auction

23 August 2021

The Robin Simpson (1940-2020) collection of British commemorative ceramics comes for sale next month.

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Striking William de Morgan tile is among five lots to watch this week

23 August 2021

With estimates from £1000-6000, here are five previews of upcoming items this week including a William de Morgan tile from the author of a book on the subject.

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Collector goes on a £30,000 steeple chase

16 August 2021

Distinctive steeple cups are scarce but an Elizabethan silver example came to market at a Somerset auction house

Maiolica dish

Maiolica dish stars in our latest pick of four auction highlights

13 August 2021

Our pick of four items that sold many times above estimate includes a Maiolica dish deemed three centuries older than catalogued.

Ewenny bowl and cover

Wassail bowl sets record for Ewenny slipware as Sir Kyffin hits new high at Welsh auction

09 August 2021

The latest Welsh sale at Rogers Jones in Cardiff – topped by a record price for a Sir Kyffin Williams picture – included this remarkable early 19th century Ewenny pottery slipware wassail bowl and cover.

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Pick of the week: Sleeper in Norfolk as Worcester 'Union Jack House’ cup is flagged up

09 August 2021

A solitary English blue and white porcelain coffee cup emerged from the relative anonymity of a one-line catalogue description and a £120-180 estimate to sell for £4100 at Keys in Aylsham on July 24.

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Meissen plaque catches the eye after being offered without reserve

09 August 2021

This large 19th century Meissen plaque with an allegory of summer caught the eye of numerous bidders at Metz (25% buyer’s premium).

Paul Storr wine coolers

From Paul Storr silver to Sèvres porcelain – 10 highlights from dealers at TEFAF Online 2021

31 July 2021

The first details of objects that dealers will exhibit at ‘TEFAF Online’ in September have been revealed.

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Pinxton pieces at their finest

26 July 2021

William Billingsley (1758-1828), a key figure in the history of both English and Welsh porcelain, left the Derby factory in 1795 yearning to create the finest, whitest and most translucent porcelain.

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Prize example of a tazza draws interest at Cotswolds auction

26 July 2021

This 15in (37cm) Sèvres porcelain presentation tazza or ‘Coupe Cybele’ was made for the Paris Exposition 1878.

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Al Thani's 18th century day bed rises way above estimate at Sotheby's sale

26 July 2021

Ornate piece of c.1780 furniture from sheikh’s collection heads a sell-out auction

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Belting Belk Gambrell ceramics selection

12 July 2021

European ceramics from renowned US collector come to the New York rostrum.

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Baltic Service coffee can with the Nelson touch

12 July 2021

A single coffee can from the Baltic Service was among the highlights of Hansons’ (25% buyer’s premium) sale on June 9, selling to a collector at £2000.

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Pearlware horses make punchy prices

12 July 2021

This splendid Leeds pearlware horse, c.1810, was one of two offered at Christie’s (25/20/14.5% buyer’s premium) on June 8 as part of a sale that combined property from seven titled vendors.

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Exceptional Lowestoft boosts London sale

12 July 2021

Some exceptional pieces of Lowestoft featured in Bonhams’ (27.5/25% buyer’s premium) sale on June 23 – many of them from a single vendor.

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