Highlights
The libation cup is commonly associated with rhino horn – a 19th century example went to a Chinese buyer at £40,000 (plus 19.5% buyer’s premium) at Lawrences of Crewkerne on January 19 – but many were made in Dehua and from the red clay around Yixing.
The 3¾in (9.5cm) diameter vessel at Fieldings, bearing a seal mark but undated in the catalogue, had two long cracks to the body and was estimated at just £50-80. It drew interest from China and the UK before selling to an American bidder at £6100.
Among the English ceramics, and also going way over hopes, was a set of three 11in (28cm) tall 19th century pale blue-glazed Staffordshire pharmaceutical jars and covers by Alcock titled Leeches, Tamarinds and Honey. Estimated at £250-350, the set sold online for £2700.
Archetypically English was a collection of 19 toby jugs from the 18th and 19th centuries. Most sold to fellow collectors around their three-figure estimates, led by a late 18th century, 10in (25cm) Staffordshire pearlware jug of Admiral Lord. Unmarked but of the Wood type, it went to a collector at a double-estimate £1100.
