Decorative Art

Our selection of lots from 13 upcoming auctions

Some strong bids were achieved in 2024 for the best of the Della Robbia Pottery but none higher than the £14,000 tendered at Woolley & Wallis (plus 26% buyer’s premium) for a large plaque by Cassandra Annie Walker.

During the 1860s the South Kensington Museum in London (now the Victoria and Albert Museum) campaigned to have electrotypes made of important historic artefacts.

Porcelain birth tablets with their roots in Suffolk are unique to the factory

A recent weekly sale at Gorringe’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Lewes included an English porcelain rarity: a blue and white Cannon Ball pattern beaker and cover.

The hugely versatile Christopher Dresser sold 37 different designs to the Sheffield firm of Dixon and Sons from 1879-82.

Top Meissen pieces amassed by US buyer attract interest worldwide but many will stay in Germany

A bronze vase by the Parisian goldsmith Lucien Gaillard caused a stir at Dobiaschofsky (25% buyer’s premium) in Bern.

A George III Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund silver presentation two-handled covered cup was offered as part of the Fine Decorative Arts sale at Bonhams (28/27/21/14.5% buyer’s premium) in London.

Punchy prices result as demand for relics linked to the British naval hero remains evidently high

ATG remembers a man described as ‘the outstanding scholar/dealer in his field’

Royal Doulton design was produced on response to popular demand for eastern-style ceramics

A small collection of Hester Bateman silver appeared Stateside at Lewis & Grant (25% buyer’s premium) in Newport, Kentucky.

Sculptor Naum Kongiser (1904-84) created the propaganda figure Radio for the Village for the State Porcelain Manufactory in 1927.

A Gorham Martelé covered silver tankard hammered for $7500 (£5875) at Grogan & Company (25% buyer’s premium) in Boston at its September 26 Silver and Decorative Arts sale. It was estimated at $2000-3000.

It was 45 years ago when Chris Riddle, then a teenager, first handled pieces at viewing days at his local auction house.