Antiques and potteries are our specialist subject matter at auction and we always know which items will fetch a good price at auction. You can also find out more on our specialist potteries page for examples of interesting lots sold at auction.
Get in touch if you have similar or unusual items that need a valuation.
Wedgwood John Skeaping terracotta Jasperware trial Duiker deer by Norman Wilson, sold for £440 Norman Wilson may not be a household name, but his four-decade career at Wedgwood left a distinctive mark on 20th-century British ceramics. As Works Manager and later Joint Managing Director, Norman Wilson developed the iconic Moonstone and Ravenstone glazes that defined …
Finally settled: What those signature colours actually mean, straight from the artist herself Lorna with one of her Rat Catchers, a limited edition 1 of 3 which sold for £110 in March 2025 For years, Lorna Bailey collectors have debated the significance behind the different coloured signatures adorning the bases of their treasured pieces. Black, …
When we sat down with Lorna Reeves, editor of TeaTime Magazine, to discuss our inaugural Tea Set of the Month, the iconic Royal Albert Old Country Roses, we expected enthusiasm. What we got was a masterclass in why this particular pattern has captured hearts for generations. A design that defied the decades Old Country Roses …
When it comes to the golden age of Royal Doulton artistry, one name held in great esteem is Leslie Johnson. Active during the early 1900s through the 1920s, Johnson carved out a distinctive niche as one of Royal Doulton’s accomplished portrait artists, creating pottery pieces that continue to captivate collectors nearly a century later. Leslie …
Lorna Bailey’s distinctive cat figurines represent a quirky, pop culture-inspired moment in contemporary British ceramics. These vibrant, Art Deco-style works have captured the attention of collectors worldwide, with values that continue to appreciate following Bailey’s retirement from pottery production in 2008. A complete set of Lorna Bailey ’Catman and Bobbin’, sold for £380 Understanding the …
There’s a reason cottagecore has captured the imaginations of many in recent years. This lifestyle and design trend celebrates the charm of rural living, the romance of simpler times and the beauty of nature brought indoors. Think of an old stone cottage tucked into the British countryside, furnished with timeworn wooden tables, cosy upholstered chairs …
Few items of furniture carry the prestige and enduring appeal of the Chesterfield. With its deep buttoned upholstery, rolled arms and unmistakable silhouette, the Chesterfield is an icon of British design. For those looking to part with one, an auction house offers the perfect setting to find the right buyer and achieve strong prices. If …
For over a century, Wade Ceramics has held a special place in the hearts of pottery collectors. From Wade Whimsies to larger Art Deco figures, earthenware pieces and Gluggle Jugs, the Stoke-on-Trent manufacturer is synonymous with British ceramic charm. Yet among Wade Pottery’s output, one category stands above the rest in terms of rarity and …
In 1916, while the world was gripped by war, a Yorkshire doctor’s daughter named Daisy Makeig-Jones was creating fantasy worlds filled with dancing elves and mystical creatures. Her Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre pieces now command £800 to £50,000+ at auction, making them among the most sought-after ceramics of the 20th century. A Wedgwood Flame Fairyland lustre …
Moorcroft pottery is a name that’s synonymous with quality and distinctive style. Highly prized by collectors since the 1800s and still exceptionally popular today, you’ll find Moorcroft at auction in 90% of our sales. So when, after more than 100 years in business, Moorcroft Pottery announced that it would cease trading earlier this year, we …
Potteries Auctions is delighted to bring a collection of works by Arthur Holland, a renowned Minton artist, to auction. The collection was consigned by the grandchildren of Holland. Arthur Holland’s youngest son had three children, Catherine, Thomas, and Mary. They lived near their grandfather in Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent, in the 1970s. Each inherited his hand-painted china …
When it comes to British pottery, few names shine as brightly as Susie Cooper. A pioneer in ceramic design whose career spanned more than seven decades, Cooper’s work bridged the gap between the traditional and the modern. If you would like to discover the value of your collection, our specialists are happy to help, request …
In the world of pottery, Anita Harris is a renowned British ceramic designer and decorator, best known for her vibrant, expressive glaze work and her role in reviving interest in hand-decorated pottery in the UK. Anita Harris began her ceramics career working with major names in British pottery. She honed her craft at Poole Pottery, …
Did you know that Queen Victoria survived eight assasination attempts during her reign? And if that wasn’t enough, being versed in five languages, a monarch at only 18, and having proposed to her own husband is sure to ruffle the feathers of any ‘Rennaisance’ man of her time. Robert Physick (1815–1880), Marble shoulder bust of …
Hannah Barlow (1851-1916) and Florence Barlow (1855-1909), also known as the Barlow Sisters, were British ceramic artists who worked at the Doulton & Co. pottery in Lambeth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were renowned for their contributions to Doulton’s decorative stoneware, especially their distinctive hand-incised and painted designs featuring animals and …
Eric Ravilious, born in 1903, was a celebrated British watercolour painter, illustrator, mural artist, and engraver. His works captured the essence of mid-20th-century British life, and Eric Ravilious Wedgwood pieces remain highly coveted by collectors. As one of the most distinguished artists to work with the iconic pottery manufacturer, Eric Ravilious Wedgwood pieces are consistently …
Minton Pate-sur-Pate Demitasse Cup & Saucer, Pattern H5103: Sold for £240 Minton Pottery, established in 1793 in Stoke-on-Trent, is a name that echoes through the world of ceramics. Though the company is no longer in production, its wares continue to make appearances at auctions and in antiques shops across the country. If you’ve come across …
Isabella Pope: an English studio potter and teacher about whom little is known, but whose unusual and technically proficient Planet Pots have intrigued and enthralled buyers every time they have appeared at auction. This dazzling assortment of Isabella Pope’s Planet Pots, bowls, figures and more will be featured across our November 2024 and March 2025 …
Wade Ceramics Ltd, a company whose roots can be traced back over 200 years, was the latest major name in the world of pottery to fall into administration. If you think your Wade pottery is worth nothing now though, you would be mistaken! The Wade factory premises at Festival Park, Etruria, in 2011. (Credit: thepotteries.org) …
Selling a single-owner collection at auction offers many advantages for both the seller and for potential buyers. These benefits stem from the unique nature of single-owner collections, which often tell a story, reflect a particular taste or passion, and offer a level of rarity and history that can enhance the appeal of the items being …
Rare Royal Doulton figures continue to hold a genuine allure for buyers, with a diverse range of collectible pieces that regularly achieve high prices at auction. Examples from the 1920s and 30s in particular attract significant interest; their quality, rarity and age being significant factors. There’s also the association with royal endorsement to be considered, …
Robert “Mouseman” Thompson furniture is well-known for its traditional styling, excellent build quality and, of course, his ubiquitous carved mouse trademark. Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson’s trademark carved mouse. (Credit: easyliveauction.com) Rejecting modern techniques, Thompson championed traditional construction methods, favouring the adze as his tool of choice. Carrying these ideals forward, he built a business that continues …
Highly prized by collectors since the 1800’s and still exceptionally collectible today, Moorcroft pottery is a favourite among our buyers, and you’ll find items with varying degrees of rarity, age, pattern, shape and form featured in the vast majority of our auctions. With this popularity, however, means that unfortunately there’s also plenty of fake Moorcroft …
Good quality porcelain is often copied, and unfortunately the beautiful work of Royal Worcester is no exception, with plenty of convincing fake pottery pieces on the market. Need help deciding whether you have a fake Royal Worcester piece on your hands? Read on for some handy tips and tricks for how to spot fake Royal …
Enamel boxes such as those made by Moorcroft Enamels, Halcyon Days and others are highly sought-after and collectible items, owed in no small part to the time and skill it takes to produce one. The Process Copper blanks, after pressing. (Credit: www.halcyondays.co.uk) To begin with, thin copper sheets are pressed into shape. They are then …
Potteries Auctions Ltd,
Silverdale Salerooms,
Unit 4a,
Silverdale Enterprise Park, Newcastle under Lyme Staffordshire
ST5 6SS
Phone: +44 (0)1782 638100
Email: enquiries@potteriesauctions.com
We are open for valuations, entries and collections Monday - Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Location Map and Directions
© 2026 Potteries Auctions Ltd. All rights reserved. Terms of Business | Privacy Policy