It comes to auction courtesy of two different collectors.
W&W specialist Michael Jeffery acknowledges that Martinware prices are not at the same stratospheric levels seen for the most sought-after items a few years ago (“the market is pausing for thought,” he observes). However, he feels that the attraction of this sale is the variety on offer in terms of both objects and values.
The bulk of the pieces, around 200 lots, comes from the collection of George Twyman who Jeffery describes as “an old-school collector”. He bought pieces across all the production range: figures, tiles and vases, not all of them in perfect condition, so his consignments will offer items to suit entry-level as well as established buyers.
The second consignment comes from Daryl Fromm, who was more selective in his purchases, going for the best examples of the brothers’ work he could obtain.
Fromm had a particular liking for gourd vases so a large selection is on offer as well as rarities such as a Birdman jar by Robert Wallace Martin from 1907 and a dragon vase dated 1899 by Edwin and Walter Martin.
