In the realm of collectibles, few things hold the allure and charm of pottery. Each piece tells a story, weaving together craftsmanship, history and artistic expression. Among the many pottery brands that have left their mark on British pottery enthusiasts, one name that stands out is Lorna Bailey.
Lorna Bailey’s journey into creating pottery started when she began studying Ceramics at Stoke-on-Trent College, formerly the iconic Burslem School of Art. She also started working as a painter for her father’s new ceramics business, LJB Ceramics (which eventually became Lorna Bailey Artware), producing Toby Jugs and other traditional hand-painted wares. Inspired by the work of Clarice Cliff, to which Bailey’s work is often compared, at this time she also began designing a series of cottage and trees and abstract patterns. This work birthed the creation of Bailey’s House and Path and Sunburst patterns, which went into production when she was just 17 years old.
Lorna Bailey produced Art Deco inspired popular collectible pottery pieces from 1995 for over 20 years before retiring in 2008 to focus on her family. In that time, Bailey certainly left her mark on the British pottery industry, being renowned for her bright, vivid designs that were painted by herself and a small team onto a range of shapes, including most notably sugar shakers, as well as vases, jugs, teapots, cruets, candlesticks and wall pockets. Bailey is also arguably most famous for her highly decorative and whimsical comical cat figures.
Although she did produce some general range items, the most collectible aspect of Lorna Bailey pottery lies in its limited edition runs and rare prototypes. Each of Bailey’s designs were only produced for a short period run, and often in limited quantities, with new patterns and different editions released each month at the height of her work. With these small limited batches making her pieces quite exclusive, avid collectors of her work are often on the hunt for them to add these unique and coveted pieces to their collections.
Lorna Bailey Artware pieces are marked with a factory stamp, and she also signed almost all of her pieces, making them easily recognisable when it comes to identifying Lorna Bailey pottery. Often, she would’ve personally signed many of these pieces too, if they were exclusive to a Lorna Bailey Collectors Open Day of which she would’ve been in attendance.
Check out just a selection of the wonderful Lorna Bailey pottery pieces we’ve had pass through our salerooms in recent months below.
This Lorna Bailey Rocking Rooster with guitar was a limited edition 1 of 60 piece that sold for £130 at our recent November 2023 auction.
This limited edition Lorna Bailey The Slipsteam vase was dated February 2006 and came with a certificate. It sold for £70 at our recent March 2024 auction.
This Lorna Bailey Charles Rennie Mackintosh coffee set, limited edition 100/100 with an Old Ellgreave backstamp, sold for an impressive £120 at our November 2023 auction.
Lot 48 at our November 2023 auction was this Lorna Bailey prototype Guinness Tortoise, which sold for a brilliant £170.
This Lorna Bailey Christmas Mayhem the Cat prototype went into production as a limited edition of 75 in November 2003, and found a new home for £95 at our November 2023 auction.
Lot 53 in our November auction last year was this Lorna Bailey prototype titled ‘Titch the Cat’, which went into production as a limited edition of 40 in February 2005, finding a hammer price of £80.
This charming set of three Lorna Bailey wise monkey cats in See, Hear and Speak No Evil poses sold for £90 at our January 2024 auction.
This collection of Lorna Bailey items, including a Lorna Bailey Sugar Sifter, sold for £100 at our February 2024 Silverdale auction.
Another collection of Lorna Bailey items from our February 2024 auction included The Cat Sugar Sifter, also selling for £100.
Lot 239 from our December 2023 auction was this rare Lorna Bailey Frosty the teapot prototype, which went into a limited edition run of 40 in November 2005. It ultimately found a hammer price of a respectable £90.
How to sell Lorna Bailey pottery at auction
At Potteries Auctions, we can identify and provide valuations across a range of Lorna Bailey pottery and ceramic pieces to help you get the best value at auction for your precious items.
Please get in touch with us if you’re looking for an expert evaluation and are seeking to sell your pottery. Free valuation days are held every Tuesday at our Silverdale saleroom – to book an appointment, use our online booking form here.
Due to popular demand, we have also started to offer a private valuation service for premium items. Please contact us directly to arrange an appointment by emailing amy@potteriesauctions.com.
You can also email us at enquiries@potteriesauctions.com or call us on +44 (0)1782 638100, or valuations can even be provided via WhatsApp – simply send some clear images of your items via the app to 07864 667940.