In a remarkable display of artistry and demand, collections of Caughley and Coalport porcelain achieved a combined total exceeding £20,000 at Halls Fine Art’s recent auction, held at their Battlefield saleroom in Shrewsbury. This auction featured a diverse range of British and Continental ceramics, glass, antiques, clocks, and Asian art, showcasing the enduring appeal of these exquisite items.
Online bidders from countries as varied as Japan, Germany, and Turkey engaged in spirited competition with those in the packed saleroom, underscoring the global interest in fine ceramics. Among the highlights was the Caughley collection from the late David Waterhouse, which fetched over £11,000. A standout piece was the rare ‘Fan-Panelled Landscape’ dessert tureen with cover and ladle, dating from circa 1776-1785, which sold for £850. Additionally, a large ‘Pine Cone’ cylindrical mug or tankard from circa 1780-1785 achieved a noteworthy price of £500.
In addition to the Caughley pieces, a combined Coalport and Caughley collection previously exhibited at the Coalport China Works Museum, assembled by the late Chris Pilkington, raised nearly £9,000. Top-selling items from the Coalport collection included a set of cabinet cups and saucers from the 19th or early 20th century, which sold for £700, and a set of named view dessert plates from circa 1900 by Ovington Brothers for £420.
Royal Worcester pieces also garnered significant attention, with one Shropshire collector selling eight lots of blush ivory for nearly £3,000. Prime examples included a pair of vases painted with Highland cattle by Harry Stinton from 1911, which sold for £700, and a pair of plaques with Scottish sheep by M. Holloway, fetching £500. Caroline Dennard, Halls’ ceramics and glass specialist, noted the remarkable interest from both Continental Europe and the Far East in the intricately decorated Coalport and Royal Worcester blush ivory items. She reported a 95 percent sale rate in her section, highlighting the auction’s success.
Aside from porcelain, the auction presented a large and rare Whitefriars architectural rectangular fused glass panel attributed to Paul Jeffries, dating from circa 1969-1975, which found a buyer at £850. This piece was particularly special, having been given to the vendor’s mother who worked at the Whitefriars gift shop when the factory closed in 1980.
Another unexpected highlight of the auction was an early 18th-century, iridescent onion-shaped wine bottle, uncovered during excavations in a Shrewsbury house, which sold for £550. This discovery not only thrilled the owners but also added a fascinating historical layer to the auction.
The top seller of the auction was an impressive Sublime Harmony orchestral music box by George Baker from Geneva, created circa 1895, which sold for £7,500 from a Wolverhampton vendor. Alexander Clement, Halls’ antiques and Asian art specialist, expressed that this piece was exceptionally rare, calling it “the best one I have ever handled” due to its excellent condition and beautiful sound.
Asian art also saw substantial sales, highlighted by a finely-crafted Chinese Qing Dynasty blanc de chine figure of Guanyin, which commanded £6,500 at auction. The provenance of this piece, combined with its exquisite detailing, made it particularly sought after. Another noteworthy item was a pair of Chinese famille rose vases with rim damage that achieved a price of £1,700 during the auction.
In the realm of furniture, notable sales included a 19th-century mahogany square back three-seat sofa from a Ludlow seller that sold for £2,800, while a 19th-century mahogany triple pedestal dining table from a Gloucestershire vendor reached £1,300. This indicates a rising appreciation for quality pieces, as commented by Alexander, who noted signs of rejuvenation in the furniture market.
Also featured was a Kashan carpet from central Persia, which sold for £980, and a Kieninger lacquered brass musical mantel clock that hit the right note at £440, contributing to a mixed yet promising day for clocks. Alexander noted, “It’s the perfect time to buy a clock as an investment because they don’t carry a capital gains tax liability.”
As Halls Fine Art prepares for its next auction scheduled for June 17, they are already accepting entries for a variety of categories, including British and Continental ceramics, glass, antiques, clocks, and Asian art. The deadline for consignments is May 15, and interested individuals can reach out to the fine art team at 01743 450700 for more information.