Friday 19 October 2007

Why not start to collect 20th Century Ceramics?

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YOU'VE SEEN them at countless car boot sales, and you've been embarrassed when you've  asked the stallholder how much he wants for the naff set of NatWest piggy banks, the SylvaC bunnies or the preserve pots shaped like onions modelled with faces on the sides.

Click here for a 20th Century Ceramics slideshow

But it's okay. Help is at hand in the shape of the latest glossy hardback to come from the stable of the Antique Collectors' Club, entitled "Starting to Collect 20th Century Ceramics". Author Andrew Casey is an acknowledged expert on the subject and his book has been produced specially with the novice collector in mind.

From the Lord of the Rings figures from the Middle Earth Series produced by Royal Doulton in 1980 to the Homemaker designs made in the 1950s for Woolworth's by Ridgway Potteries, Mr Casey's book is not just an exercise in "Do people really collect those?", but



also an excuse for the people who do to carry on regardless.

After all, no one was harmed in the process of calling objects made yesterday antiques and collectables (except of course the uninitiated). If you buy or sell 20th century pottery at antiques fairs, fleamarkets or car boot sales, then this book should be your bible.

For example, did you know that there are collectors who would kill for a rare piece of Roland Rat gift ware pottery? No, me neither.

To the purist, such as BBC Antiques Roadshow specialist and much loved character Henry Sandon, who wrote the foreword to the book, it is something of anathema to learn that 20th century ceramics are among the fastest growing field of collecting. But it's true, and we'll have to live with it.

Having watched a sale last week in which a collection of Beswick farm animals made eye-watering prices, it seems today's collectors are more interested in kitsch than they are in fine Georgian silver or antique furniture.

As Mr Casey points out, the market for "collectables" -- the preferred phrase for 20th century items rather than "antiques -- has blossomed over the last 20 years, egged on by television programmes and Internet auctions.

Now, the stuff chucked out by our parents or blown to smithereens in the Blitz is the new Meissen, Chelsea and Bow.

Starting to Collect 20th Century Ceramics is a compendium of manufacturers in Britain, Europe and America. Many of the names are old favourites but there are plenty whom collectors have yet to focus and capitalise upon.

Take William Adams Ltd. The Adams family started manufacturing pottery in 1779 in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. In the 20th century, the firm produced a wide variety of tea, coffee and dinner wares that are highly collectable.

Ironically however, despite a strong interest in Susie Cooper pottery, the Meadowlands and Inspiration patterns she designed for Adams in circa 1983-84 have yet to be recognised and as such might be useful investment.

Or Barretts of Staffordshire Ltd. A relatively unknown pottery, Barretts was once owned by Great Universal Stores but subsequently the subject of a management buy-out in 1986.

In 1992, Barretts purchased the Royal Stafford company in receivership and the following year the companies were amalgamated to become known as Royal Stafford Tableware, who produced exclusive high-end dinner services for such stores as Ralph Lauren. The products are another one to watch.

Pottery by John Beswick Ltd is already priced beyond the reach of most but in contrast, the firm of E. Brain and Co was formed in 1855 at the Foley Works in Fenton, Stoke-On-Trent.

Foley's bone china was the tableware of choice for the upper middle classes, but Andrew Casey advises collectors to look out for the small range of Brain fancies such as dishes from the late 1950s decorated with a whimsical images by Maureen Tanner.

Several pages of the book concentrate on the aforementioned Susie Cooper wares and it is clear there is mileage in the old girl yet.

The author suggests collectors keep a lookout for her Curlew shapes, the Art Deco designs from the early 30s such as Seagull, Panorama and Homestead and her Leaping Deer and Angel Fish figural table centres reissued by Wedgwood in 2002.

The Bourne family established the famous pottery in Denby, Derbyshire, in 1809 when they produced salt-glaze stoneware.

In the 1960s, every trendy home had a Denby dinner service but Andrew Casey advises collectors to seek their kitchenware such as Cottage Blue and Manor Green designed by Donald Gilbert in the 1930s.

Collectors are apparently also particularly keen on the rare designs and patterns such as the Cheviot Wares from 1956.

Even Royal Crown Derby, one of this country's most significant and enduring companies has its collectables.

Founded in 1876, Derby competed with some of the finest English and Continental porcelain manufacturers and in 1890 was awarded a Royal warrant by Queen Victoria.

Shunning the traditional, apparently today's collectors are drawn to the animal and bird paperweights designed by Robert Jefferson in the 1980s and skilfully painted pieces by such artists as Albert Gregory and Cuthbert Gresley.

A.J. Wilkinson Limited is best known today for Clarice Cliff's Bizarre ware and if you can afford it, you probably don't need any help from Andrew Casey.

However, for the less well heeled, he recommends collectors should also look out for the less well-known designs by John Butler, whilst American collectors are apparently eager to purchase a traditional landscape printed dinnerware with the Royal Staffordshire mark known as Tonquin.

I could go on ... and on, but space precludes it. I recommend you buy the book. It's a good read and highly informative. It's also well illustrated with a host of colour photographs which is a real boon to spotting the bargains at car boot sales.

For the ceramics collector interested in new antiques, it would make a cracking Christmas present. Just don't be too hacked off remembering what was on your dinner table when you were a child.

Starting to Collect 20th Century Ceramics is priced at £14.95. Contact The Antique Collectors' Club on 01394 389950.

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16 Comments:

Anonymous Kevin Graham said...

this is a great site

18 April 2008 at 01:00  
Anonymous Dan Shaw said...

I have collected 20th Century ceramics for the past three years,the majority of the pieces I have bought have doubled in value in that time.

18 April 2008 at 06:42  
Anonymous janet said...

Hello,
i have just started collecting. I bought a jug yesterday,think its a milk jug. It says underneath Delphatic Barratts England reg B755897 Lilactime. do you think its a collectable item, great Blog!

21 June 2010 at 22:59  
Anonymous Christopher Proudlove said...

Congratulations Janet, you've caught the bug. Yes, it's collectable - why not search out more pieces and build up a dinner service. That's what my wife and I did when we were given three Doulton plates as a wedding present. We now have eight full place settings, although admittedly it's taken us a few years! Good luck.

22 June 2010 at 02:42  
Anonymous janet said...

Thanks for your reply Christopher, yes i had already thought of looking for a teapot and cups and saucers .
Over the last couple of weeks i have been collecting Delft amd Swedish glass from Orrefors and Holme Gaard from Denmark. I have been searching in all the charity shops and the Swap Mates and have had some good finds. So yes i think that i have caught the bug.

22 June 2010 at 05:45  
Anonymous Christopher Proudlove said...

I like to think I've played a part!

22 June 2010 at 06:18  
Anonymous val cain said...

Hi ive just bougth from a charity shop a dinner set of adams meadowland one cup missing though just wondering the value of said item and a little about the history.

2 July 2010 at 21:47  
Anonymous Kat said...

Hey There, bit of a question about an item I have bought in the local charity shop - its a bowl with a lid and on the bottom it says Dalphatic China Barratts England with a registration number B755897, it is decorated with horse riders and dogs hunting, coloured red and white, is this also a collectable as per the jug above?

9 July 2010 at 09:44  
Anonymous carly said...

Hi
I have a dinner set and cups and saucer of barrets of staffordshire (made in England). They are cream and brown floral with phoenix design. Any idea if there worth anything or should I give away to charity?

20 July 2010 at 09:06  
Anonymous jackueline pearson said...

please can you help me i want a clock that goes into a piece of miessen pottery where can i get one in yorkshire

17 August 2010 at 05:53  
Anonymous jackueline pearson said...

the miessen pottery has got flowers with cherubs and instruments and a cockeral at the top of the piece of miessen

17 August 2010 at 05:55  
Anonymous Ged Calland said...

Hello At the beginning of the year I started collecting Poole Freeform which started in 1950 until 1960 they are all hand thrown and hand painted I always keep my eyes peeled in charity shops carboot sales and whotnot I`ve got 4 Chargers 3 Pin dishes a Posy bowl and 7 vases which I bought mostly off of Ebay but I`ve noticed more recently that there are almost no pieces available to buy on Ebay now they are definately becoming more scarce do you think that I should register with a couple of auction houses if so which ones an how do I register ?? please help I`m ADDICTED TO POOLE FREEFORM I MUST HAVE MORE HELP ME !!!

29 August 2010 at 10:28  
Anonymous Christopher Proudlove said...

Ged
Go for it - Freform is not as widely appreciated as it should be, so now's the time to buy. I recommend you register for auction alerts at www.the-saleroom.com and www.invaluable.com (I have no commercial interest in either). Good luck.

9 September 2010 at 02:30  
Anonymous Jill said...

Have a wide collection of 20th century pottery and I am looking to sell in bulk because I do not have the space to keep all of this. The collection belongs to my aunt (and uncle) who has passed.
If anyone is interested please let contact me.

7 November 2010 at 15:37  
Anonymous Jill said...

Susie Cooper - also meant to mention I have a complete blue star burst pattern with teapot and serving pieces.
Again, if interested, please contact me.

7 November 2010 at 15:38  
Anonymous steph said...

Hello-
I have a full set of dinner china (side plates, plates, bowls and tea cups and underneath I can see : Delphatic China"by Barratts England, Reg. No. B755897
I have been trying to research this, but have had no luck. Any advice or thoughts on its value or age?
Thank you!

10 September 2012 at 12:47  

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