Antiques & Potteries Specialisms

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.

Thinking of Selling Your Chesterfield Sofa, Chair or Suite at Auction?

a four piece Ox-blood Chesterfield suite

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 …

Read more

What Makes Rare Wade Pottery Prototypes So Collectable?

A large collection of green glazed Wade Whimsies protoypes

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 …

Read more

Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre from Daisy Makeig-Jones

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 …

Read more

Is Now a Good Time to Sell Your Moorcroft at Auction?

William Moorcroft rare Carp vase

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 …

Read more

Arthur Holland: The Life and Craft of a Minton Master 

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 …

Read more

Susie Cooper Pottery: History, Rare Patterns & Value Guide

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 …

Read more

Who is Anita Harris? Plus Upcoming Anita Harris Pottery at Auction

Anita Harris Koala Bear figure

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, …

Read more

Victoria in Vogue: How Robert Physick Carved a Queen for the Ages

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 …

Read more

Who Were the Barlow Sisters? Plus Upcoming Doulton Lambeth at Auction

Hannah-Barlow-for-Doulton Lambeth large twin handled Stoneware vase

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 …

Read more

Who Was Eric Ravilious? The Wedgwood Artist At Auction

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 …

Read more

What’s my Minton Pottery Worth?  

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 …

Read more

Isabella Pope Studio Pottery: Her Life’s Work 

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 …

Read more

What’s My Wade Pottery Worth at Auction?

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) …

Read more

Selling Your Single-Owner Collection with an Exclusive Timed Auction

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 …

Read more

Rare Royal Doulton Under the Hammer

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, …

Read more

What’s My Mouseman Furniture Worth? Mid-Century Furniture at Auction

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 …

Read more

How to Spot Fake Moorcroft Pottery

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 …

Read more

How to Spot Fake Royal Worcester Pottery

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 …

Read more

Why are Enamel Boxes so Popular?

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 …

Read more

Is Lorna Bailey Pottery Collectable?

In the realm of collectables, few things hold the allure and charm of pottery. Each piece tells a story, weaving together craftsmanship, history and artistic expression. Among the many pottery brands that have left their mark on British pottery enthusiasts, one name that stands out is Lorna Bailey. Lorna Bailey’s journey into creating pottery started …

Read more

Antique Furniture: Refresh Your Home

It’s still early in the year, and spring is about to arrive, so why not give your antique furniture the refresh it needs with Potteries Auctions? This Edwardian glazed double fronted display cabinet sold for £420 in a recent Antique Furniture & Collectors sale Giving your interior a new lease of life can be a …

Read more

9ct Gold Jewellery, British Pottery & More up for Auction in February 2024

This Lot of three Shelley Mode shape trios, together with an Eve shape trio, will be featured in our February Antique & Collectors auction. Lot 499A, estimate £100-£150 We have some fantastic items coming up in this month’s Antique & Collectors auction. Fancy treating yourself to a new watch? Feel like your home interior needs …

Read more

Antique Furniture for Sale in January 2024

The New Year beckons, and with it comes an opportunity to spruce up your home with some quality furniture items. January 2024 at Potteries Auctions promises a wonderful collection of 19th Century, Victorian and Edwardian antique furniture for sale. Lot 479 in our January 12th Antique & Collectors auction is this lovely heavily carved glazed …

Read more

British Pottery, Furniture & Collectors Items Auction: November 2023

At our Cobridge saleroom in Stoke-on-Trent, our second General Auction this month boasts a plethora of ceramics and pottery for sale. Included will be an abundance of dinner and tea ware, among which will be a good selection of Shelley China. To be featured with an estimate of £100-£200, Lot 73 is this collection of …

Read more

De Lamerie Fine Bone China & Glassware

We sell De Lamerie China, Crystal and Silverware crafted in Stoke-on-Trent and loved by collectors worldwide. To be featured in our November Fine Art auction, Lot 1070 is a fine set of four Samarkand pattern dinner plates, with an estimate of £80-£160. De Lamerie Fine Bone China utilises designs and moulds by, or inspired by, …

Read more

Deadline for entries to our July Rare Ceramics, Jewellery & Collectables auction: 20th MayBook a valuation
+