Rare china to go under the hammer at auction in Lowestoft

With the popularity of wares produced at the Lowestoft Porcelain factory remaining as strong as ever, more than 100 lots will feature as an annual auction returns to its hometown.

A very fine Tulip painter teapot and cover, painted with naturalistic pink flowers, is on offer at the auction. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

The popular annual auction of 18th century Lowestoft Porcelain will be held at the Hotel Victoria on Wednesday, October 25.

Lowestoft Porcelain was first established in 1757 and produced household pieces such as teapots, tea bowls, personalised birth tablets as well as specially commissioned pieces at a factory in Crown Street, before closing in 1802.

A fine rare blue and white mustard pot and cover, painted with trailing flowers and leaves. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

Its unique place in the history of ceramic manufacture has been celebrated by an annual auction originally established by auctioneer and enthusiast, Russell Sprake.

Mr Sprake held specialist auctions for 30 years and, since her husband died, his wife Zoë Sprake has maintained the tradition and managed the auction in recent years aided by the invaluable expertise of well known auctioneer Elizabeth Talbot - director of TW Gaze Diss Auction Rooms.

A fine rare blue and white inkwell of waisted shape is offered at the auction. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

Mrs Talbot will be guest auctioneer once more as this year’s auction features 104 lots of china.

A fine Tulip Painter sparrowbeak jug, painted with tulip in a spray of flowers and flowering sprigs is set to be offered at auction. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

Viewing will take place from 3pm on the day of the sale before bidding starts at 7pm.

'Beautifully painted'

Among the items going under the hammer at the specialist sale is a teapot inscribed 'John & Eliz Gibbs 1770 of Hickling Norfolk,' which is described as "a unique bespoke piece which comes with a family tree," that is estimated to fetch £5,000 to £6,000.

Of the other 100-plus lots, is a "beautifully painted polychrome teapot" expected to fetch £2,500 to £3,000 and a sparrowbeak jug that is estimated to fetch £1400 to £1600, which have both been decorated by the Tulip Painter.

There is also a "fine, rare blue and white inkwell of waisted shape, painted with garlands of leaves and flowers" that is priced at £4,000 to £4,500.

Several items of miniature teaware will feature in the auction. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

Always popular with collectors are several items of miniature teaware - estimated to fetch between £25 and £1,100.

There is also a "fine, rare blue and white mustard pot with its original cover" priced at £2,500 to £3,000 and a model of a swan - one of several animal figures made in Lowestoft - which is estimated at £2,300 to £2,600.

The model of a swan, with beak and eyes painted in brick red and black, will feature in the auction. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

Before the main porcelain sale, two books will be on offer by F A Crisp - privately printed with limited editions of 150 - Catalogue of Lowestoft China 1907 and Lowestoft China Factory 1908.

Mrs Sprake said: "This has several pictures of what remained of the kiln when being used by E & G Morse Brewery.

The rare book featuring Robert Skelton. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

"Page 5 shows the East view of the factory wall with a portrait of maltster Robert Skelton the original finder of moulds used in the production of some Lowestoft wares."

For more information and the online catalogue visit the auction website.