Decorative Arts & Ephemera
Delft style garniture vase, probably Chinese C20th
Price: £20
The marks underneath this vase proudly announce production at Delft, Holland which is written below the standard apothecary bottle and the cipher ‘JT’ (from Joost Thooft, the company owner from 1876) with, in addition, a painter’s mark, which cannot be identified and a date code leeter ‘R’ for 1896. There are also some impressed letters and numbers which are hard to identify. The form and decoration is similar to that of a Chinese eighteenth century garniture vase (there should be a cover to this in addition) which is entirely consitent with original Delft pieces which copied or based themselves on Chinese models, although the shape here is exaggeratedly slender. But the mechanical craquelure glaze is totally unauthentic as is the thickly potted body and the paste of the base which is most likely Chinese and therefore yet another example of the European style pieces they made during the late twentieth century, a few example so of which can be seen elsewhere on this site. A novelty pastiche then but with the potential for the display of small flowers which it would complement rather well.
Orrefors Zaglo signed crystal glass Decanter, Riding Scene, mid C20th
Price: £30
This is one of the series of engraved crystal glass decanters designed and engraved by Aleek Zaglo for the Swedish glassworks Orrefors in the second half of the twentieth century. These decanters were produced in a variety of shapes and engraved mainly with sporting scenes, although there is one design which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and is dated to 1975. Here we see a horse rider and the fence he is attempting to jump, apparently termed ‘the double oxer’, the rails being of unequal height. Zaglo’s name appears on the base along with the model number and number of the edition ‘809’, presumably implying a total production of 1000. Originally the decanter was fitted with a round stopper, also engraved with a horse. Included with this lot is a modern oval replacement.
Orrefors was founded in Sweden in 1898 by Johnan August Samuelson. It then went through a variety of ownerships and also acquired many of its rival glass companies including Kosta Boda. Orrefors became Orrefors Kosta Boda in 1990 and joined The Royal Scandinavia Group in 1997.
Two brass bulldog paperweights, mid C20th
Price: £55
Two brass figures of bulldogs, one sitting erect and one crouching, each solid cast and expressively modelled. These small brass bulldogs are usually regarded as paperweights and appear to have been popular around the time of the second world war as an example of British stubbornness and tenacity. Some see reminiscences here of ‘John Bull’ and others the great ‘bulldog’ himself, Winston Churchill. Most likely, then, these two ‘mastiffs’ date to the 1940s and can carry out their function today just as well as they did all those years ago.
Vesta case in the form of a fly, C20th
Price: £25
This is a vesta case in the form of a fly with a striker plate to the underside of one of its wings. Vesta was the Roman Goddess of the hearth, home and family and altars and temples dedicated to her commonly employed a live flame, which caused some manufacturers of matches in the nineteenth century to name their products 'Vestas', the most famous being the Swan Vesta match produced from around 1900. Early matches were highly combustible and cases to keep them safe were produced from around 1830 onwards. The peak of popularity of the 'Vesta Case' was around 1900 and their use declined in the 1920s when the first cigarette lighters were produced giving a probable dating here to the last years of their production. It is marked to the underside of the wings 'P&C' but this manufacturer cannot be identified.
Magnifying Glass with Crown Handle, C20th
Price: £45
A large magnifying glass with silver plate trim, the handle with a ball shape terminal decorated with bead work and stylised floral designs and a crown shape finial again with beadwork, both separated by a ridged tube of ivorine. This elaborate desk item is sometimes found as part of a boxed set together with a matching paper knife. Highly useful for reading that small print it probably dates to the 1950s but retains its functionality today.
Danish silver plate Photograph Holder,with repoussé decoration, 1970s/1980s
Price: £45
This is a folding silver plate photograph holder each side with a similar repoussé work scene of a traditional rustic interior with metal workers busy plying their trade. Repoussé work is a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief. Very similar pieces carry a mark for Denmark, as here, (see image 4) but also the initials JThS, or a slight variant on this, which seem to stand for Jorgen Th Steffenson of Randers who is known to have worked in the late 1970s. While not necessarily by him, a similar dating is most likely here.
Morrocan safi ware Dish, silver metal bound, signed La Médina Paris, modern
Price: £45
An earthenware dish glazed blue to the front, with silver metal mounting, and orange to the reverse, with a narrow foot pierced for hanging and inscribed to the centre ‘La Médina Paris’. This is an example of Morrocan earthenware made at Safi, a city in western Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of Safi Province and known for the production of textiles and ceramics. Some plates in a similar style are marked with their city of origin (see image 10 for an example of this) and many are bound in metal as here. They seem to have been made from the late twentieth century onwards, perhaps as tourist souvenirs, but the inscription on the back indicates that this plate was made specially for the shop ‘Les Trésors De La Médina’ situated in the Boulevard du Montparnasse, Paris (see image 9). Their website states “Les Trésors De La Médina is a true specialist in Moroccan craftsmanship. For 15 years, our shop has been offering our customers various works of art produced by craftsmen.” which indicates that this piece offered to the market in fairly recent times. Nevertheless, it is an excellent example of the type and would make an interesting item of wall decoration.
Carved oak wood Box, possibly German, late C19th
Price: £55
A light brown oak wood box with a hinged lid, the interior lined in blue velvet and the lid with a mirror inset inside, the exterior deeply carved with panels of leaves on a textured ground, the lid in addition with a repeating geometric pattern border, the corners with dovetail joints clearly visible. The work on this attractive box is clearly European (there are other similar examples from India and China) and the naturalistic motifs suggest German work in the well known ‘Black Forest’ tradition which exploited woodland themes including animals. Dating is most likely to the late nineteenth century and this piece well retains its attraction today.
Novelty ceramic celery Vase, Price Kensington, 1960s
Price: £25
A novelty ceramic vase with two mask heads, the eyebrows and moustache formed as leaves, with the wording ‘CELERY’ above, the base with transfer marks ‘PRICE KENSINGTON’ within a wreath above ‘MADE IN ENGLAND’ and the pattern number ‘3644’ written at the side.
Price & Kensington was the trademark for Price & Kensington Potteries Ltd which was formed in 1962 by the amalgamation of Price Bros. (Burslem) Ltd and Kensington Pottery Ltd which were both subsidiaries of Arthur Wood & Son (Longport) Ltd. From 1962 to 2003 Price & Kensington produced large quantities of domestic wares alongside novelties and souvenirs, but in 2003 their parent company went into administration and their brand name was eventually sold to Rayware Limited which continued to use it, eventually moving the manufacture abroad, mainly to China.
This celery vase was one of the most popular and distinctive pieces which Price & Kensington produced and examples are enthusiastically collected today.
Novelty matchstick holder, Boot with Cat and Dog, probably Japan 1950s
Price: £25
A novelty ceramic matchstick holder in the form of a black boot, unlaced, with a dog climbing towards a cat seated on top, the sole glazed brown with an impressed mark '3'. Some other examples of these have a printed mark 'Japan’ in black and it may be that this has simply worn off here. Certainly the work and design is so similar that Japanese manufacture is almost certain; they produced many ‘novelty’ ceramic pieces for export after the war, marked at first ‘Made in Occupied Japan’ and then, after 1952, ‘Made in Japan’ or ‘Japan’. Usually the painted decoration flakes off, whereas here it remains in excellent condition.
Oil Painting, Shakespeare Cliff, Dover, unsigned, C20th
Price: £75
It is easier to identify the subject of this painting than the artist who painted it. The white cliff outcrop in the background is the well known ‘Shakespeare Cliff’ situated just to the West of Dover harbour and famous for its association with the play ‘King Lear’ as well as for its coastal views. It was often painted and even caught the imagination of Turner who captured many views of it including one aspect closer up but similar to that seen here (see image 9). In this picture, the cliff is a backdrop for a maritime coastal scene with riggers beached below and cockle boats with a fisherman in the foreground while various bystanders survey the scene. All the elements depicted are Victorian and some of the representations to be found do date from that period, but the style of the work here, particularly the semi impressionistic treatment of the rocks looks later and an early twentieth century dating seems more likely. But the anonymous artist was accomplished and has produced an attractive version of a well known composition.
Oil Painting on board, Mountain Rapids, signed, C20th
Price: £45
A landscape scene with fast flowing water rapids enclosed on each side by mountainous outcrops with trees. The current seems to be heading downwards to the bottom right possibly about to break into a waterfall. The location cannot be identified but is probably European or just possibly American. The style of the painting is clearly impressionistic and the artist has signed his work but illegibly, unfortunately. A mid twentieth century dating seems the most likely and this is consistent with the typeface used by the picture framer ‘S. Staples’ (who were located at 103, High Street, Croydon, England) which has a distinctively Art Deco look to it and can be found on other pictures from this period.
Stumpwork embroidery picture of a Young Couple dancing, C20th
Price: £25
An embroidery panel of a young couple dancing in a stylised garden scene. Each wears European, possibly Swiss, dress, the young man with a short sleeved embroidered jacket and a broad brimmed hat, the young lady with flowing skirts and a bonnet tied with a blue ribbon. Some of the work is heavily stitched to produce a ‘3D’ effect, notably the bonnet ribbons and the plant leaves, which is a feature of the so called ‘stumpwork’ technique, found elsewhere on a floral panel in this auction. The general style is slightly abstract and has very much a mid century feel suggesting a dating to the 1950s and the frame could well be contemporary with this. The result is a decorative composition of great charm.
Pair of petit point Tapestry Pictures, The Needlewoman Shop London, mid C20th
Price: £45
A pair of oval tapestry pictures depicting a lady and a gentleman in eighteenth century dress, framed and one with a label for ‘The Needlewoman Shop’ in Regent Street, London to the reverse. This attractive and finely worked pair of needlework images was most likely created from preprinted pattern tapestry canvas. Various examples of these were produced during the twentieth century including the popular ‘Gobelin’ range. The Needlewoman Shop traded in Regent Street from 1928 to 1985 and was something of a mecca for those interested in fine sewing in all its forms. The likelihood is that the patterns for these pictures were sold by the shop, possibly along with the threads required, and then framed by them after the customer had completed the kit successfully, but this is no more than an educated guess. The format of the label suggests a dating in the 1950s.
The fine stitching used here is a version of needlepoint termed ‘petit point’ because of the small size of stitches used. In general needlepoint, designs are stitched onto fine canvas using a simple tent stitch, a small, diagonal stitch that crosses over the intersection of one horizontal and one vertical thread of the canvas forming a slanted stitch at a 45-degree angle. Petit point uses the same technique but with much finer stitching and thread on a much finer canvas often requiring magnification for the work to be carried out. It allows more intricate designs and shading effects as can be clearly seen here. The technique was particularly popular in France amongst the aristocracy in the early eighteenth century which perhaps determines the choice of subject here but with their intricate stitching and complementary frames, this pair of tapestries would definitely be a candidate for boudoir accessories in the present day.
Needlework sampler with a prayer by Sarah Flower Adams, probably late C19th
Price: £25
Samplers (the name derives from the Latin ‘exemplum’, meaning ‘example’) were exhibition pieces intended to demonstrate skill in needlework and have a long history dating back even to BCE times. They were produced in Europe from the sixteenth century onwards but enjoyed something of a heyday in England in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, becoming one of the accomplishments expected of young girls to demonstrate their achievement and industry, a fashion which was to die out after the 1900s.
Many of the samplers found today were signed by the maker, but not all, as here. At a guess this piece was probably made in the second half of the nineteenth century (the frame is much later) by a fairly devout needleworker. The text closely follows a known prayer composed by Sarah Flower Adams (1805-1848). As a member of the congregation of the Rev. W. J. Fox, a Unitarian minister in London, she contributed 13 hymns to his work ‘Hymns and Anthems’ which was published in 1841.
The prayer by her found there reads as follows:
Part in peace!- Christ's life was peace; Let us breath our breath in Him. Part in peace!- Christ's death was peace, Let us die death in Him. Part in peace!- Christ promise gave Of a life beyond the grave, Where all mortal partings cease Part in peace!
It is just possible that the last line has been altered to reflect a recent family loss, but this must remain speculation. The sentiments, though, are clear enough and have been carefully and devotedly worked.
Pair of framed watercolours, Dartmoor scenes, signed S.Miller, early C20th
Price: £150
A pair of watercolours depicting two Dartmoor landscape scenes, each with heather bordered streams in the foreground and mist covered mountains in the background beneath cloudy skies, the sun rising in one, both signed to the bottom left ‘S.Miller’. While other signed works are known by this artist little or nothing else is known about his or her identity. Perhaps Cornwall was ‘home’ since all the other pictures found are of Dartmoor as well and are all painted in the same semi impressionistic style with colour tones emphasising browns and blues. The mood reflects the misty uncertainties of the world of Debussy’s ‘Pelleas et Melisande’ and an early twentieth century dating seems reasonable. Surviving as a well balanced pair in sympathetic frames which are doubtless later, these two scenes would be an elegant addition to a traditional interior, as well as of interest to a collector of twentieth century English watercolours.
Two Photographs of Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, signed and numbered, late C20th
Price: £40
Eel Pie Island is one of London’s more curious landmarks. Situated in the River Thames near to Twickenham it is only accessed by a narrow pedestrian bridge. There are no cars or roads on the island which is home to about 120 residents, 26 artist studios, and working boatyards. The public can only visit twice a year when there are ‘open studio’ weekends. It is the subject here of two art photographs, most likely taken with some form of panoramic camera device to create the long narrow views. In one we see the access bridge and in the other a view of the island entire. Both seem to have been taken in the early morning. The pictures are the earliest examples of an edition of 900 (1/900 and 2/900 respectively). It is not clear whether the whole edition was 900 or each photograph issued as a run of 900. The former seems more likely and these were perhaps at one time the property of the photographer himself who signs his name (probably; the signature is not wholly clear) as ‘Keith Johnson’. These are curiosity pieces but fine examples of traditional photographer’s work, now rather eclipsed by digital equivalents. The framers seem not to exist now which is consistent with a dating to the late twentieth century which would match the type and style of the photography.
Framed print, Madonna of the Streets, mid C20th
Price: £20
As semi devotional work with a circular print of a young lady in Victorian dress holding a child set in a square wood frame with painted sprays of flowers at each corner. The image seen here is taken from a celebrated Italian picture titled ‘La Madonnina’ (or more commonly ‘Madonna of the Streets’ or ‘Madonna del riposo’) by the artist Roberto Ferruzzi (1854-1934). This won the second Venice Biennale in 1897 and was subsequently popularised by the edition of various print reproductions in a variety of formats and sizes including framed portraits and greeting cards. The original is believed to have been a vertical sepia painting in a gilt frame, approximately 27cm high and 21cm wide. It was bought by John George Alexander Leishman, a steel entrepreneur and diplomat, who died in France in 1924 but its whereabouts today, while often speculated on, are unknown.
Not originally intended as a religious work it was rapidly regarded as an image of the Madonna and under this guise has enjoyed wide circulation as a semi devotional work. This example, which is most likely Italian and probably dates to the mid twentieth century, is typical and was probably regarded by its original owner as far more than just a decorative object and may perhaps retain a similar appeal today.
Framed needlework picture, Anemone Flower, C20th
Price: £25
A colourful and decorative needlework picture featuring a blue anemone flower surrounded by geometric patterns in shades of pink, yellow, blue, and green. This is most likely the work of an accomplished amateur and possibly follows a pattern design. Many similar compositions can be found but this one is particularly successful and well complemented by its frame which is most likely contemporary with it and probably dates to the mid to late twentieth century.
Framed watercolour of country cottage scene after Myles Birket Foster, C20th
Price: £75
An attractive watercolour of a countryside scene with a thatched cottage in the background next to a tumble down shed and a small group of two ladies and a child in the foreground at their leisure on a woodland bank. The detail is carefully rendered in an attractive palette of colours emphasising greens and yellows. It is not difficult to see her the influence of the celebrated watercolourist Myles Birket Foster (1825-1899) whose idealised scenes of English country life enjoyed great popularity in the Victorian era and were much imitated thereafter. Dating is probably to the first half of the twentieth century and while the artist is anonymous the quality of the painting comes through. While complementary the frame is most likely rather later.
Victorian papier-mâché Tray with brass handle, English second half C19th
Price: £75
This is an excellent example of the papier-mâché serving trays which were made in England in the mid to late nineteenth century. The papier-mâché technique, which employs pieces of pulped paper and binding agents which can be shaped to form a variety of objects, sometimes with the addition of some form of backing, dated back over two thousand years and was first used in China. It enjoyed a wide appeal and was taken up enthusiastically by Victorian craftsmen who produce a range of highly decorative objects in the medium, one of which was the swing handled serving tray. Here, the black ground is covered with colourful painted decoration, a central spray of flowers within a stylised gilt floral border inlaid with mother of pearl. The brass swing handle has floral terminals with twisting ribbon decoration and a central leaf and berry spray and the reverse is plain. As a result of the technique, papier-mâché pieces are easily subject to damage and wear to the decoration but neither is the case here making this an attractive and desirable item of decoration.
Pair of Sport Glass folding Binoculars with box, Japan 1950s
Price: £25
A pair of folding binoculars, the sides with a black leatherette finish and a central dial for focussing, made in Japan by ‘Sport Glass’ complete with their original box. While these binoculars, sometimes with different brand names such as ‘Arrow’ or ‘King’, are not uncommon they do not usually appear with the original box in such good condition. Still fully working, they are also a highly practical accessory!
Georgian small wood Spice Cabinet with six drawers, early C19th
Price: £75
A small mahogany wood cabinet, the front door with globular bead detail and hinged to the right opening to reveal five drawers, four smaller and one larger. Cabinets such as these, which are always hinged to the right are often described as spice cabinets but could also have been used as an apothecary case or even for storing tea. The accessories on this cabinet appear to be original and the format of the front handle and the rectangular beaded frame suggest late Georgian rather than Victorian workmanship and other similar cabinets are dated to that period or even before, making this a safe assumption here. The size of this piece is both charming and practical and it survives in excellent condition with just a few scratches to the sides making it an interesting addition to a collection of early nineteenth century furniture.
Two ceramic Clown Figures by Lino Zampiva, Italian late C20th
Price: £25
These are two ceramic figurines designed Lino Zampiva. Each depicts a clown figure, the larger holding balloons and the smaller playing the violin, both with a distinctive ‘spaghetti’ hairstyle. They are amusingly modelled and colourfully decorated and each carries Zampiva’s signature, the balloon seller with ‘Made in Italy’ in addition. Lino Zampiva founded PastelCeramica SnC in Montebello, Vicentino, Italy, in 1976 and began the production of these whimsical ceramic figurines which enjoyed great popularity. Many of them were clown figures but there were other subjects as well including dolls. Considerable artistry was expended in the creation of these pieces making them a little more than just ‘kitsch’.
Arts and Crafts brass Tray with hammered decoration, early C20th
Price: £45
An oval brass tray polished at the front, the sunken centre with a broad flat rim, the interior decorated with a punched or ‘hammered’ design and the outer rim with six embossed stylised flowers, probably intended to represent lotus, the reverse unpolished. There are slightly hybrid design elements here. The general form draws on the aesthetic of the Arts and Crafts movement with its emphasis on simplicity of design and a slightly rustic appearance whereas the six flower heads with their flowing semi abstract design reflect more the style of Art Nouveau. The two design trends were partially contemporary, of course, and not dissimilar in their objectives so that there was sometimes an overlapping between the two. Unsigned, this tray was probably made as a modest decorative item for the home but it has an appeal of its own, even when set beside rather more grand productions. Dating is probably to the Edwardian period when this style was still very much in vogue.
Fairylite Dollies Brush and Comb Set, mid C20th
Price: £20
Fairylite were manufacturers of modest children’s toys and accessories, apparently from the 1930s to the 1960s, with an emphasis on dolls and, in particular, dolls house furniture. Their pieces were not made in the UK, although that seems to have been their principal market, and mostly marked ‘foreign’, as here. It is more than possible that many of them were imported from Japan. When complete with their original boxes, their pieces are now regarded as modestly desirable collectibles for those with a taste in nostalgia. This dressing table set is complete with all its elements intact even down to the fastenings in the interior of the box and probably worth a little more today than its purchase price of one shilling and sixpence : seven and a half pence!
Betterwear celluloid Crinoline Lady Crumb Brush & Tray Set, mid C20th
Price: £20
Betterwear was a UK company founded in 1928 which initially produced brushes which were sold ‘door to door’ and enjoyed great popularity. In 1970 it was renamed ‘Betterware’ to reflect the wider range of domestic products which were now being marketed and in 1986 it became a public company and was one of the best-performing shares on the stockmarket in the early 1990s when its share price rose more than tenfold. But in 2018 it went into administration eventually to be relaunced in 2025.
This crumb tray and brush was a popular design in the 1950s. Made from celluloid, the brush is in the form of a Victorian lady wearing a crinoline, the bristles forming a skirt, with the tray, which is marked ‘Betterwear’ to the reverse, modelled to fit. Elegant and practical, these pieces are now more the province of collectors than home accessories.
Wedgwood plate from the Childrens Story series, The Little Mermaid, with box, 1975
Price: £15
This is the fifth plate from a series of fifteen produced by Wedgwood from 1971 to 1985 under the series title ‘Childrens Stories’, each illustrating a famous fairy tale or fairy tale character. Here we have ‘The Little Mermaid’, a story by Hans Christian Andersen. The plate is complete with its original box and brochure and also a drawing of the design which omits certain of its elements, to be filled in and then coloured by the young owner.
Thai Akha tribe Doll, late C20th
Price: £35
This is a fine example of the dolls produced by the Akha tribe who live in Northern Thailand. The clothes are modelled on traditional Thai designs, the black cloth with brightly coloured accessories, bead work and silver metal accents, and the head, hands and feet are ceramic with painted detail. Made in the late twentieth century, presumably as tourist souvenirs, the charm of these dolls speaks for itself and would add a touch of colour and humour to any contemporary interior.
Wooden wall mounted box with the Coat of Arms of Portugal, first half C20th
Price: £75
A hardwood box with an open top and galleried moulding at the rim and base, the raised backplate with a lobed and curved edge and set with a coat of arms in brass below a crown with banners to each side and cornucopia and dolphins below, the front of the box also brass mounted with two cannons within a wreath. The coat of arms displayed here is that of Portugal and is a version which was first adopted in 1910. It was sometimes incorporated into military devices and this seems to be the context of this piece, although the two cannons at the front suggest artillery while the dolphins have a marine association. There is clearly, then, some history here and the box may have been used to hold stationery or even, perhaps, candles. Dating has to be to the twentieth century and looks to be in the first half. Definitely a piece for further research!
Inuit stone sculpture of a bird, signed Giyori Chakawa, late C20th
Price: £85
The simple, almost abstract, lines of this small stone sculpture carved from granite like rock suggest the work of the Inuit peoples, a widely spread but historically and culturally homogeneous group who live in the Arctic and Sub Arctic regions of Russia and Canada. Art played a major role in these communities and many small sculptures of animals and humans were produced by them, carved from ivory and bone. The use of stone dates to more recent times, placing this piece most likely towards the end of the twentieth century. The bird is carved with its head upraised and an almost expectant expression. Its wings are lightly delineated and its body blends seamlessly into the tail. The underside is carved with the makers name in deeply incised letters ‘Giyori Chakawa’, but nothing is known about him. Inuit pieces are prized today for their modernistic but timeless forms and this piece is a fine example of the genre.
Jigsaw Puzzle of Guy’s Hospital London, with box, 1930s
Price: £10
A novelty jigsaw puzzle with a picture of Guy’s Hospital London, comprising thirty large interlocking pieces which make up the design, complete with the original box which has the picture on the front of the lid to act as a design guide. The motor vehicles seen here and the dress of the bystanders indicate a pre war dating probably to the 1930s. The subject matter, hardly an obvious choice for a commercial item for general sale, points to this item being used as a rehabilitation tool for a patient recovering in hospital or most likely Guy’s Hospital itself. Perhaps her name was indeed Myrtle! Similar puzzles were made by the firm ‘W.G.Evans and Sons’ and advertised as ‘specially recommended for invalids’.
Art Deco silver plate Cigarette Box with monogram, 1930s
Price: £35
While similar pieces with an ovoid profile pointed at the corners are usually described as tea caddies, the flat flush fitting top here, which is not hinged as those of its counterparts are, suggests that this piece was intended rather for cigarettes. The clean lines clearly point to Art Deco and a dating to the late 1920s or 1930s seems likely. By way of example, a similar silver tea caddy made for Harrods has hallmarks for 1922. This is a fine quality item and has, in addition, an elaborate monogram to the lid, presumably containing the original owner’s initials. This was cast separately and fitted to the lid with staples. The device is elaborate but the letters ‘G’, ‘W’, ‘A’ and ‘F’ can be made out although their correct ordering must remain uncertain.
Wedgwood heart shape Boxes : Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
Price: £25
Two Wedgwood ‘jasperware’ heart shape boxes and covers, one dark and one pale blue, each with a cameo portrait medallion of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh within a wreath and two floral rosettes, Prince Philip identified by his name and the Queen celebrated for her silver jubilee in 1977. These boxes were produced as commemorative souvenirs of a reign which had reached twenty five years but was to see many more jubilees in the future. Wedgwood employed their classic ‘jasperware’ design with raised and modelled white decoration on a plain biscuit ground, here two contrasting shades of blue, although these boxes were made in both light and dark blue. While modest productions, the quality of these pieces well matches that of their predecessors and they are a collectible memento of one of the significant milestones of the longest reign in British history.
Yellow Citroen 2CV Teapot by Andy Titcomb, signed and dated, 1990
Price: £55
Andy Titcomb is an artist with many talents, even including film and television work (image 10 shows him with Martin Clunes in the series ‘Doc Martin’). He is probably best known as a designer and creator of ceramics and within that field in particular for his imaginative series of teapots. On his website, he writes
‘I worked with Paul Cardew in his first business Sunshine Ceramics from 1978 to 1983. After a number of years making and decorating all manner of odd shaped ashtrays, punk mugs and Nat West piggy banks, I left to concentrate on my own work. I made a range of brooches which were selected by the Design Centre. In 1983 with a converted pigsty as a workshop, I made my first teapot...a black and white harlequin. Encouraged by The Teahouse in Covent Garden London I began to make many more teapots.’
By 1990, he had deserted the pigsty and had a studio in North Cornwall where he continued production until 2016 when ‘I decided that there was too much “stuff” in the world without me adding to it, so I retired from all things ceramic and gave my materials and other equipment to other potters.’
Titcomb’s grandmother owned a yellow ‘Sadler’ racing car teapot, a classic design from the 1930s which is much sought after today (see image 11) and this inspired him to make his own version in the form of a Citroen 2CV, although he also produced a model copying the Volkswagen ‘Beetle’. This reinterpretation of the 1930s original, made in 1990 soon after the move to Cornwall has great charm of its own and is as equally collectible as its prototype.
Studio pottery style wavy edge Bowl, 7th Layer Ceramics, China, early C21st
Price: £25
A studio pottery style stoneware shallow bowl with a wavy edge rim, stoutly potted and glazed on the outside and top interior in cream, the interior with contrasting green glazes with a craquelure effect, the foot unglazed and with a printed mark to the centre ‘7th Layer’ next to a circular logo. 7th Layer Design Ltd was a Chinese firm making high quality ceramics heavily inspired by European studio pottery techniques and the Director of the firm can be seen showing a selection of their range in a Facebook video dated to 2007 (see image 9 for a still photograph from this) but there is no record of them now and it has to be assumed that the business ceased production since then and today only selected pieces by them are available online on eBay or Etsy. Not yet, then, a collector’s item perhaps, but this bowl is a good example of the wares that the firm was trying to produce which unfortunately did not achieve long lasting commercial success.
Avon Brand vintage wood telephone Money Boxes, 1950s/1960s
Price: £20
These are two items of nostalgia from the 1950s/1960s acting as money boxes for the cost of a telephone call. Presumably they were placed next to the telephone as a hint to a guest user to make a contribution to the cost of a call when using the host’s telephone! Each has a roundel with a slightly saucy young lady with an image of a telephone next to it. There is a slot at the top and a removable panel to the rear to give access to the coins stored inside. Each has a label at the back ‘Avon Brand’ one with ‘Seal of Quality’ and the other with ‘Made in England’. The format of the telephone dates these boxes to the late 1950s or early 1960s which is entirely consistent with their general style. Nothing is known about the ‘Avon Brand’ (who were lucky not to get involved in a trademark dispute with the more famous user of the name…) but there are many other similar pieces with their label, some with the image of a town and its name written on the base. Perfect items for devotees of ‘kitsch’!
Stars and Stripes Newspaper, Victory Edition front page, May 8, 1945
Price: £75
The Stars and Stripes newspaper is a daily American military newspaper reporting on matters concerning the members of the United States Armed Forces. It was first printed in 1861 and is still in circulation today. During World War Two it was printed in many editions in many locations. This example was the Paris Edition and announces the momentous news of Germany’s surrender on May 8th, 1945, anticipating the simultaneous ‘official’ announcement by the British, American and Russian governments later in the day at 3.00pm. Copies of the original newspaper seem hard to come by now making this a significant souvenir for those interested in the history of the Second World War or major historical events in general.
Three Chinese embroidered textiles in Bakelite frames, 1950s
Price: £25
Three Chinese embroidered textiles, the two larger showing scenes with pagodas from the West Lake, Hangzhou and the smaller the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests within the Temple of Heaven complex, Beijing. Similar images can be found with a maker’s name displayed at the side, the Jinsheng Silk Weaving Co Ltd, Hangzhou, China and these colourful textile designs were doubtless made as tourist souvenirs. The frames are Bakelite, coloured brown in imitation of wood, and can sometimes be seen elsewhere with a label reading ‘MADE IN HONG KONG FABRIQUE’ AU HONG KONG’; one carries a British registration mark ‘1006697’ which again appears elsewhere. The use of Bakelite for the frames suggests a dating to the 1950s and other similar textile images seem also to have been made at that time. As a set, this group is a quaint souvenir of the ‘Land of Cathay’ with a distinctively mid century feel.
Cambridge ware tea caddy and cover with T monogram on the lid, mid C20th
Price: £25
A tea caddy and cover of round ovoid form with a flat lid, the body comprised of small wood segments joined together in bands of different types, including teak and mahogany, and colours, the central band ridged, the base and cover plain and the top of the cover with an inset metal monogram reading ‘T’, doubtless for ‘tea’ surrounded by stylised foliage. The work here is typical of so called ‘Cambridge Ware’ produced by an anonymous firm, presumably based in or near to Cambridge itself, and was apparently produced from small recycled pieces of wood. Besides tea caddies, the firm also produced ice buckets and bowls, many with a green beize felt covering underneath (as here) and some with a foil or paper label identifying the manufacturer (missing here). Their pieces seem to have been made in the 1950s and 1960s and were quite popular at the time but have become modest collector’s items now.