Pottery & Ceramics

Coalport China Marks & Backstamps Guide – How to Identify & Date Your Piece

If you’re trying to identify a piece of Coalport porcelain, the backstamp or printed mark on the base can help determine its age, authenticity and potential value. Coalport china marks evolved over more than two centuries, making accurate identification essential for collectors and sellers alike. At Potteries Auctions, we have handled and sold Coalport porcelain …

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Could Your Toby Jug Be Worth £4,000? See Rare Examples & Tips to Find Out!

Toby Jugs and character jugs have been beloved collectibles for centuries, admired for their craftsmanship, humour, and historical charm. At Potteries Auctions, we’ve been valuing and selling Toby Jugs, Royal Doulton character jugs, and Staffordshire pottery for over 25 years — helping collectors discover the true worth of their pieces. Whether you inherited a Toby …

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Collecting Michael Sutty Military Figures 

Michael Sutty (1937-2003) established himself as Britain’s foremost sculptor of military porcelain figures during his four-decade career. Working primarily from the 1960s until his death, Sutty developed techniques for creating bone china figures of exceptional complexity. Established Stoke-on-Trent manufacturers initially considered them impossible to produce commercially.  Background and Technique Sutty was largely self-taught. He developed …

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Your Guide to Collecting Wedgwood Florentine

November Tea Set Spotlight  Whether you’ve inherited a well-loved family tea set or want to replace your Wedgwood Florentine turquoise pieces with some of their new, brighter coloured takes on the classic set, there’s significant value to be found. With a heritage spanning over 150 years, Wedgwood’s iconic Florentine pattern remains high in demand in …

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Decoding Lorna Bailey’s Signature Colours: The Definitive Collector’s Guide

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, …

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A guide to selling your Lorna Bailey Cats

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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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, …

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Clarice Cliff’s Rhodanthe: Rare Collection Up For Auction

Coming Nov ’23 We are thrilled to present an exceptional collection of Clarice Cliff’s Rhodanthe designs. This was acquired from a passionate collector who meticulously preserved these treasures. Our auction, scheduled for November, offers an opportunity for individuals to own a piece of design history from one of the most renowned ceramic artists of all …

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170 Lots of Unique Kevin Francis / Peggy Davis Collectables

Kevin Francis collectables are synonymous with unconventional handcrafted figurines that delight collectors everywhere. Since 1981, they have been wowing collectors with their daring and unconventional handcrafted figurines that defy the ordinary. With traditional production methods, their brazen designs stand out, attracting enthusiasts from all corners of the globe. Lot 401: Kevin Francis / Peggy Davies …

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British Pottery, Furniture, Dinner & Teaware Cobridge Auction Preview

July 2023 Our second Cobridge sale of this month is just around the corner! We couldn’t be more excited to showcase a fantastic selection of Pottery, Furniture, Dinner & Teaware. There are a number of many unreserved items as well! Let’s dive right into the preview of our most anticipated items, and you can view …

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Carlton Ware’s Earliest Ranges & A Preview of Upcoming Carlton Ware Pieces at Auction

One of the many iconic manufacturers within the locality of the Potteries, Carlton Ware – originally Wiltshaw & Robinsons – endured for many years. They produced a wide variety of popular ranges and patterns from the company’s inception in 1890. A fantastic and large collection of Carlton Ware items was recently consigned with Potteries Auctions …

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Beswick Horses Value Guide – Rare Beswick Shire Horse 818 Record Sale

A rare Beswick Shire Horse 818 sold for a remarkable £11,300 at Potteries Auctions, making it one of the most valuable Beswick horse figures ever sold at auction in the UK. For collectors researching rare Beswick models and prices, this sale highlights how valuable uncommon colourways, limited production examples and desirable provenance can be in …

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Why are Royal Doulton Prototypes So Valuable?

This Beswick Royal Doulton Prototype Dunn Belted Galloway cow was estimated to sell for just £60-£120, but ultimately found a hammer price of an amazing £660 after avid Royal Doulton collectors were eager to snap it up. During the height of 20th-century pottery production, every ceramic manufacturer would create prototypes during production, however Royal Doulton …

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A Guide to W H Goss Pottery Markings

This stunning W H Goss rare model of a tiger on a rock, sold for an incredible £650 in one of our Silverdale Saleroom Fine Art auctions. Proof that WH Goss remains a firm favourite! Here at Potteries Auctions, we run regular auctions and attract buyers and sellers from all over the world. We’re based in the …

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Wild About Wedgwood? Check Out Upcoming Wedgwood Pottery in Our November Fine Art Sale

This pair of 19th-century Wedgwood light blue dip Jasperware urns with covers is set to sell for £300-£600 at our upcoming November Fine Art sale, while this Wedgwood Prestige large vase and cover, titled “The Britannia Vase”, is estimated to sell for £1000-£2000. The Potteries Auctions November Fine Art sale is a three-day online auction …

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A Guide to William Adams Pottery Markings

In February 2021 in our Silverdale saleroom, we hosted a two-day auction of 20th century British pottery, which included this delightful Adams dip-blue jasperware biscuit barrel. We have been selling Adams pottery, with varying degrees of rarity, for over twenty years here at Potteries Auctions. If you are looking to expand your collection or sell your …

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Crown Devon Pottery Marks & Value Guide (Fieldings Backstamps Explained)

Crown Devon pottery is one of the most recognisable names in British ceramics, with collectors frequently searching: This expert guide explains how to identify Crown Devon backstamps, date your pieces, and understand their value. The History of Crown Devon Pottery (Fieldings) Crown Devon pottery began as S. Fielding & Co in 1878 at the Railway …

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A Guide to Susie Cooper Pottery Markings

This delightful collection of Susie Cooper crown works, Burslem dinnerware (in the Dresden Spray design), comprising of tureen and covers, cups and saucers, sold in one of our Fine Art sales. It’s quality and design really is stunning. Susie Cooper was a household name in the Potteries during the 1920s through to the 1980s, with her ceramics …

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A Guide to Martin Brothers Pottery Markings

‘Flamboyant’ is one of the best words used to describe the original style of The Martin Brothers pottery and stoneware. These stoneware musician imp figures sold for £1200 and £1800 each, respectively, at our September 2020 Fine Art sale. The History of The Martin Brothers and Their Work The Martin Brothers were four brothers who set up …

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