A humble box of pots took everyone by surprise at Hansons – and reminded me why the ceramics market is so interesting and vibrant, writes Charles Hanson
It must have been time for a celebratory brew when the seller of what at first glance appears to be a random collection of 13 pieces of pottery sparked a hammer high at Hansons Auctioneers.
Just £50-£60 was required to sell lot 1226, early English porcelain consisting of a teapot, saucers, coffee cans, sugar bowl and dish. It was offered together with two Prattware plates and a decorated Prattware pot lid. Despite chips and cracks, the collection hammered at £410 in the April 18-23 Antiques & Collectors sale.
We cannot be entirely sure which items in the box attracted strong bidding – perhaps all of them – but Hansons’ ceramics experts Robert Churchill and Gill Finney (pictured below) believe the antique tea set was the star attraction.
It’s possible it was produced by New Hall pottery, the first firm to make commercially successful porcelain in Staffordshire. In 1782, a consortium of Staffordshire potters led by Jacob Warburton and Samuel Hollins purchased from Richard Champion a patent he had acquired for the manufacture of a porcelain using Cornwall china stone and china clay.
Early decoration consisted principally of simply painted floral sprays accompanied by various figured borders. Some gilded patterns were also employed at an early date. By the middle of the 1780s a few blue printed patterns had emerged. Tea-wares formed the predominant part of the output and the firm’s success can be gauged by the number of competitors who made similar wares. If not New Hall perhaps this tea set was made by an early competitor.
The Staffordshire Potteries also brought us Prattware. Pratt & Co (circa 1818-1967) was founded by Felix Edward Pratt (1813-1894) and Richard Pratt, possibly brothers. The firm become an important manufacturer of domestic earthenware and polychrome transfer-printed pot lids, one of which shines bright in the lot.
In the 19th century Pratt was associated with fine, usually multi-coloured, transfer printed engravings used to decorate the lids of earthenware pots used for food, pharmaceutical products and toiletries.
Though Felix Pratt was the driving force behind the business, an artist called Jesse Austin, who joined Pratt around 1840, supplied the creative flair. He was an accomplished watercolour artist and engraver and over nearly 40 years the business produced more than 550 polychrome prints used to decorate the well known pot lids.
Collecting Pratt polychrome pot lids became fashionable in the 1920s and the interest continues. There is a Pot Lid Collectors’ Society. One of my favourite finds is a Pratt plate called The Hop Queen. I bought it in Newark years ago for £20. It’s a wonderful thing.
I’m pleased to say Derby wares emerged in the star-lot hit parade too – and the tea theme continued. Royal Crown Derby Imari 1128 is in hot demand and a tea set boasting the sought after pattern achieved £700 from a £400-£600 estimate. In addition an Imari 1128 comport made £600, twice its £300-£400 guide, and an Imari 1128 table lamp achieved £460 from a £200-£250 estimate.
Tea wares again inspired a hammer high when it came to lot 1181, three pieces of 20th century Herend pottery. A teapot, water jug and cream jug, all with green floral design and gilding, sold for £210 from a humble £20-£40 guide.
The Herend Porcelain Manufactory was founded in 1826 by Vince Stingl in the village of Herend near Lake Balaton, Hungary. Porcelain manufacture started in 1839 and hasn’t stopped since. Success came thick and fast, particularly after Herend won a gold medal at the first World Fair in London in 1851.
It led to Queen Victoria ordering a set of Herend porcelain decorated with butterflies and peonies, a pattern later named Queen Victoria Décor. Though Queen Victoria was barely 5ft tall she was huge when it came to influence. Her patronage brought in business for Herend as wealthy families followed suit to buy their porcelain.
Today Herend exports to more than 60 countries and is renowned for its quality. In the 1970s I remember Herend ornamental animals being extremely popular with London’s Chelsea set.
Tea came to the fore again – a teacup and saucer – in a small collection of Royal Worcester ceramics which hammered at £420 from a £80-£120 guide. It included a vase painted with pheasants, a pin dish signed by Jas Stinton, the aforementioned cup and saucer, also signed by Jas Stinton, a pair of fruit study vases and a Kitty Blake fruit study vase.
James Stinton was one of the best known of the Worcester Stinton family of painters. Born in 1870 he joined the factory with his father and brother and worked there until his retirement in 1951.
Ceramic trends change with the times but quality always finds its true value. Perhaps you have a gem in your china cabinet. Hansons holds monthly ceramics auctions. To book a free valuation, email [email protected] or call 01283 733988. Valuations are available Mon-Saturday at the Etwall saleroom including 4-6pm on Mondays from May 13.
