Decorative Art

The Bovey Pottery Company, closed in 1957, would have passed into collecting history without incident had it not been for the ‘Our Gang’ collection of figures.

The English porcelain specialist Simon Spero opens his 37th catalogued exhibition this week in his Kensington shop.

This 8¾in (23cm) diameter Liverpool delft charger, dated 1738, is initialled MML for Michael and Mary Lightfoot, members of a Quaker family who lived in Chester County.

Generally regarded as a guide of things to come, the Spring Fine Sale at Tennants (20% buyer’s premium) at Leyburn on March 24-25 left auctioneer Jeremy Pattison in an upbeat mood.

A record sale total, the trade in buying mood and traditional furniture selling well – all further evidence that 2017 so far is proving rather less catastrophic than some had forecast.

A ground-breaking Mayfair exhibition takes a rare focus on first examples of the maiolica technique.

A rare version of one of the most popular of Beswick farm figures, a shire horse in a piebald gloss finish, pulled its weight at The Auction Centre (16% buyer’s premium) in Runcorn on March 18.

Alexandra Alfandary specialises in Meissen ware and other European porcelain, with a particular concentration on 19th century Meissen. She is a regular exhibitor at fairs and is a member of BADA and LAPADA. Her shop is in Portobello Road.

For many centuries the German city of Nuremberg was a major centre for glass decoration.

Among the most eagerly contested sections of the Bonhams sale was the 22 lots from the Golding Barrett Collection.

Inspired by an exhibition marking the 400th anniversary of Raphael’s birth in 1883, Alexander III (1845-94) commissioned a porcelain dinner service for use in the Catherine Palace of Tsarskoe Selo, writes Roland Arkell.

This unusual Staffordshire figure of Billy Walters, c.1820, by Enoch Wood was among the pieces sold at the recent Chelsea Antiques, Art & Design Fair (March 15-19).

A fairly early example of a traditional way of insulting Britain’s enemies up to and including the Second World War, this early 19th century twin-handled chamber pot was rated at £2200 by bidders at Lockdales (18% buyer’s premium) at Ipswich.

Presumably the recipient, one Charles Salter of ‘Edinborough’, was pleased to receive to this 18th century green-glazed creamware presentation teapot in 1791.

The Cotswolds Antiques, Decorative & Art Fair takes place from March 31-April 2, the first of three editions to run in 2017. Organiser Cooper Events added the third last year, and it was greeted with enough enthusiasm to keep the model going this year.

Furniture takes a rare top spot despite numerous and varied delights at Dorchester auction