A woman is parting with her vast and eclectic collection of Royal Worcester porcelain together with wall paintings by artists who decorated the colourful pottery.
Hundreds of pieces spanning the history of the famous firm from the late 1700s onwards are due to be sold at Hansons Auctioneers on Monday, March 16 – giving keen collectors a rare opportunity to source unusual or rare objects.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, said: “It’s a truly magnificent collection. As well as a huge array of porcelain, including a 150-piece dinner service, vases, teacups and saucers, ornaments, bowls and cruet sets and much more, there are a number of artworks by Royal Worcester artists.
Clockwise from top left, lot 2333, lot 2332 and lot 2363.
“The earliest examples we are selling date back to the late 1700s, not long after the firm was founded in 1751. The collection also includes fairly modern examples and together, encapsulates the firm’s manufacturing history.”
The owner of the collection, from Burton, Staffs, who did not wish to be named said: “Some good friends introduced me to Royal Worcester and I started to collect it from the 1980s for about 30 years. I built up knowledge along the way and bought some nice pieces.
“Around 300 items are coming up for sale but many are grouped together in lots. They have been on display in cabinets throughout my house and I’ve used some of them. I’ve loved them all but it’s time to say goodbye. I hope other people will enjoy adding to their collections.”
Mr Hanson said: “If you love Royal Worcester or are thinking about collecting porcelain from this famous maker, this is a perfect opportunity to buy both affordable pieces as well as rare early examples.”
Lot 2381
Objects coming up for auction include lot 2332, a circa 1780 Worcester porcelain blue and white pear-shaped coffee pot and cover, decorated with Chinese figures within landscape, estimate £200-£300. Another early piece is lot 2333, an 18th century Worcester porcelain blue and white Mansfield pattern fluted teapot and cover, decorated with flowers, estimate £120-£180
Royal Worcester artwork includes lot 2363, a set of four still-life paintings of various fruits such as grapes, plums and peaches, estimate £80-£100.
Lot 2381, is a Royal Worcester bullet-shaped teapot and cover decorated with roses, together with an 18th Century style jug, white ground decorated with floral sprigs and pirate mask spout terminal, estimate £60-£100.
The varied collection also includes lot 2312, a group of Royal Worcester items including three shell-shaped salts, a pair of matched leaf-shaped posy vases, a vase of star flower form on a leaf-moulded base, circa 1901, and a leaf-shaped green spill vase, estimate £100-£150.
A fraction of the 150-piece dinner service, lot 2331, and lot 2312.
And if you need a new dinner service don’t miss lot 2331, an extensive collection more than 150 pieces of Royal Worcester Royal Garden and Elgar pattern dinnerware including dinner plates, side plates, cups, saucers, tureens, meat platters, coffee pots, teapot. Estimate £200-£300.
Royal Worcester was established in 1751 and is believed to be the oldest or second oldest remaining English porcelain brand still in existence. This is disputed by Royal Crown Derby, which claims 1750 as its year of establishment. Part of the Portmeirion Group since 2009, Royal Worcester remains in the luxury tableware and giftware market, though production in Worcester itself has ended.
A Private Collection of Royal Worcester Pottery will be sold on Monday, March 16 during an Antiques and Collection Auction at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, DE65 6LS. Viewing: Wed March 11, 11am-7pm.
Alternatively, you can browse the catalogue online at www.hansonslive.co.uk or www.thesaleroom.com. Please note, you must register with the online bidding platforms to bid and buy remotely.
