On a day when there were only a dozen unsolds among the 730 ceramic commemoratives on offer, all 30 flasks found buyers as did all the 200 potlids which opened the day. Potlids are hardly the force they were, but among the good prices at the Kennetholme salerooms was the ten times estimate £800 bid on an example of the Sebastopol lid, No 209.
The sale ended with more than 300 lots of ceramic royal commemoratives which were led by an 1820 cylindrical earthenware tankard showing the unfortunate Queen Caroline. The 4 1/4in (11cm) vessel, with the black portrait oval within a colourful border of flowers, foliage and masks, had been restored and was estimated at up to £250 but sold at £640.
Melbourne is the premier attraction
Topping a very successful sale by Reading specialists Special Auction Services ( 15% buyer’s premium) on March 12 was this rare brown stoneware spirit flask, left, by Oldfield & Co. Date c.1835 and depicting the then Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne. The 9 1/4in (23.5cm) flask sold on its mid-estimate £3000.