Three lots of 19th-century Brampton stoneware made in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, exceeded their estimate at Hansons Auctioneers’ recent sale, with four pipes hammering at £2,050, well beating their guide price of £70-£90.
A second group of salt glaze animals, made up of a squirrel, two dogs, two cats and a Brampton hare, also sold for £900, more than 20 times its low estimate of £40.
The final group, including a salt glaze stoneware model of a toad, a Brampton boot and a double-sided face cup, fetched £480 beating their pre-sale guide price of £40-£60.
Charles Hanson said: “While clay pipes were common, salt glaze versions with unusual shapes, faces, decorative elements spark interest among collectors. Some are sought after as local history artefacts; others purely for pipe collecting or historical display.
“As for the animals, with their quizzical faces and studied expressions, they were a charming bunch and sure to brighten up any room.
“All of them came date from a great period of this region’s industrial past of which we can all be justifiably proud.”
By the mid 19th century Chesterfield’s potteries were booming with at least 16 potteries in Brampton, Whittington and Newbold.
New transport links via the Chesterfield canal and North Midland Railway, which launched in 1840, allowed the makers to reach new markets in Derby, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and beyond.
Brampton was known for its stoneware which differs from earthenware in that it is fired at a high temperature (up to c.1200 degrees), at which point it vitrifies into ‘stone’.
Salt was shovelled into the kilns to produce hard, shiny surface, known as salt glaze stone ware.
The process was particularly useful in making bottles at a time when glass was too expensive for everyday use.
Other uses tanged from cookware – jam making became popular after the sugar tax was lifted in 1870 – to bed warming pans and chamber pots.
An offshoot was the production of clay pipes which were smoked by both men and women during the 19th century.
The colour of Brampton ware varies from chocolate brown to light tan, with its hone colour particularly sought after.
Auction Results
Auction: Hansons Derbyshire Fine Art Auction
Auction date: 9th October 2025 | 9:30am
Location: Hansons Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
