Potteries Auction first ever Fine Art sale at our Silverdale Showroom was held in April whilst the second sale followed in September. Over 2300 lots went under the hammer in these sales and generated some exceptional realised prices. The selling successes in these sales followed the trend in our general sales of antiques and collectables
The highest selling lot came in April for a 59cm William Moorcroft flambé Eventide exhibition vase which realised £21,328. This was, and still is, the record sale for Potteries Auctions and for a single item of Moorcroft.
In the September sale, one of the star lots was the rare Royal Doulton advertising figure ‘The Sentinel’. This was produced for The Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd of Shrewsbury in 1921. It is believed that only five were cast and, of that five, only four now remain in existence. The figure achieved £7,000 and was the highest fetching pottery item in the sale.
Royal Doulton figures provided to be popular in both sales. One particular item made as a centrepiece for the 1958 Brussels exhibition and aptly entitled “The Marriage Of Art And Industry” reached £4200 in the April sale. Another was ‘The Minstrel’ – a rare Doulton Burslem Early figure Moorish Minstrel modeled by Charles Noke and decorated in the Robert Allen studio. This achieved £2600.
Other notable Royal Doulton items included: A prototype Doulton character jug of The March Hare (£6500), a jug of George Washington with a Liberty schroll handle (£3600), a Clark Gable (£2350), a prototype character jug of Sir Isaac Newton (£2,600) and the character jug of Sir Winston Churchill. This Churchill jug was stamped to the base with the statement ‘This loving cup was made during the Battle of Britain as a tribute to a great leader’. It achieved £2,300.
Both auctions featured a range of militaria which proved to be popular. The poignancy of the Great War medals and a Silver anchor medal from Battle of the Falklands 1914 was felt by all as we reflect on those who fought for their respective counties over 100 years ago. Other items which attracted a lot of interest and keen bidding were Cavalry Officer’s Sword and a Second World War Officer’s dagger.
Philatelists and numismatists were happy with the range of items available in the September sale. A collection of stamps, which included some fine Victorian examples, achieved above expectation as did some of the commonwealth and foreign collections. There were a number of proof coins sets which appealed to the numismatists and these realised good prices. A small collection of American silver coins also did well, as did a collection of Chinese coins which double the estimated price.
A lot of interest was generated by the large range of jewellery. Unsurprisingly, gold and silver items sold well but a number of individual and aesthetic items also demonstrated that quality and interesting items will often surpass expectations. The antique furniture items consigned produced solid results. Pieces from Victorian and Edwardian dominated proceedings but extended to some fine Continental and Oriental examples.
Although Potteries Auctions is renowned for being a leading auction house in the sale of pottery and ceramics, both the Fine Art auctions demonstrated the diversity of the company through the wide range of quality collectables which were available to collectors. We can reflect confidently on the prices that furniture, paintings, books, ephemera and even taxidermy realised as we strive to ensure the company continues to develop alongside its customer’s interests.
Selling Moorcroft Pottery at Auction
If you have Moorcroft Pottery pieces you’re looking to sell, their pieces consistently perform well at auction and our staff is well-placed to provide valuations and advice on selling your items.
Call 01782 638100 or emailenquiries@potteriesauctions.com to book a valuation appointment to attend one of our Tuesday valuation days. We also provide valuations via WhatsApp, simply send some clear photographs of your items via the app to07864 667940. Additionally, we can send you links to our catalogues via WhatsApp–message the above number via the app and ask to receive our catalogues. Make sure you are subscribed to our email newsletters too!