Potteries Auctions

This Second World War Distinguished Conduct Medal group of five was awarded to Serjeant John Chapman of the 4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers.

The most eagerly contested lot in a recent sale at Potteries Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) was a Doulton stoneware Isobath inkwell.

A curious pearlware pottery hybrid animal with the head of a sheep and body of a winged fish proved a popular entry at Toovey’s (24.5% buyer’s premium).

A new auction record for the Wade factory was set by Potteries Auctions in Stoke-on-Trent when this monumental 3ft 10in (1.15m) high figure made for the 1951 Festival of Britain sold at £4200.

Middle-Earth history works edited by Christopher and two copies of The Hobbit with interesting links

The record-setting piece of Beswick pottery at a recent sale at Potteries Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) – a rare variant of a shire horse model that fetched £11,300 (ATG No 2569) – was not the only lot bringing notable demand.

A record for Beswick pottery was set in Stoke-on-Trent this month when a rare variant of one of the factory’s best-known models sold for a five-figure sum.

A new record for a Royal Doulton figure has been set in Stoke-on-Trent.

Not to be confused with the modern limited edition Toby jugs of the same name, the early Royal Doulton figure Spooks is among the most desirable models in all the HN series.

In the collectable ceramics market colour can count for a lot.

This pair of William III silver candlesticks came for sale at Potteries Auctions (20% buyer’s premium).

The 27 animal models created for Beswick by Colin Melbourne represented the firm at its most avant garde.

Even 40 years ago, when the market for George Tinworth (1843-1913) anthropomorphic mouse groups was in its relative infancy, this 3½in (9cm) model above would have been a bargain at £1.

Small Britannia standard silver bowls are the signature pieces the Scottish silversmith Michael Lloyd (c.1950).

Ottoman bead carvers in Istanbul – makers of the garlands of beads known as tesbih and komboloi – were swift to appreciate the potential of Bakelite in c.1910.

An unusual late Victorian silver pocket watch by Herbert Blockley of London sold for an unexpected £2800 at Potteries Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Stoke-on- Trent.

‘One-of-a-kind’ tubelined charger by Staffordshire ceramicist brings £3300 on local soil.

Sold in the heartlands of English ceramics, this example, below, of Scotland’s finest was the estimate-shattering star of Potteries Auctions’ (20% buyer’s premium) July 13-14 sale in Stoke-on-Trent.