Featured: Why Now’s the Time to Sell Decorative Treasures


May 2025

Following a successful Antiques & Decorative Objects Sale on 16 May, we’re now inviting entries for the next instalment - a carefully curated auction showcasing classic craftsmanship, decorative charm and collectable design. From iconic British pottery to fine porcelain and luxurious finishing touches, this sale is a celebration of the enduring appeal of beautiful things.

To help inspire potential consignors, we’re highlighting three key collecting categories from our recent sale - all of which performed well under the hammer. If you own similar pieces, now could be the perfect time to consign and connect your antiques with a new generation of collectors.

 

The Lasting Allure of Lustre

Among the visual highlights of our recent Antiques & Decorative Objects Sale was a pair of Carlton Ware Armand Lustre vases in the eye-catching Flies pattern. With their tall trumpet form and iridescent glaze, they are quintessential examples of Carlton Ware’s flair for turning the everyday into something theatrical. Carlton Ware’s lustre ranges, particularly those produced between the 1920s and 1940s, are celebrated for their rich colours, whimsical motifs and gleaming finishes. What made this pair especially appealing was the unexpected pairing of refined Art Deco form with the playful, almost surreal decoration of buzzing flies - a pattern that has long intrigued collectors for its wit and irreverence.

Lustreware of this kind has become increasingly sought after, as collectors and decorators alike embrace pieces that combine artistic craftsmanship with a strong sense of character. Carlton Ware - along with other makers such as Wedgwood, Shelley and Crown Devon - captured a moment in ceramic history where surface decoration was bold, experimental and delightfully offbeat.Whether you own a statement vase, a lidded bowl or a tea set with that unmistakable shimmer, lustreware continues to command attention. If you have similar pieces in your collection, this is an ideal moment to explore their potential at auction.

Above - Pair of Carlton Ware Armand Lustre Flies pattern vases: Sold £240

 

The Collectable Magic of Clarice Cliff

Few names in British ceramics carry the weight and recognition of Clarice Cliff. Her designs are instantly recognisable - bold shapes, vibrant colours, and patterns bursting with life. In our recent sale, a Clarice Cliff ‘Summerhouse’ pattern jug, in the rare Athens shape and marked Fantasque, drew significant attention. Dating from around 1930, it’s a textbook example of why Cliff’s work continues to resonate: artistic vision, originality and a thoroughly modern take on traditional pottery.

Collectors of Clarice Cliff are drawn not only to her visual style but to the revolutionary role she played in design history. At a time when much of British tableware was still rooted in Victorian formality, Cliff introduced whimsy, abstraction and joy - making her one of the most progressive and commercially successful designers of her time.

Today, Cliff’s pieces are collected both in the UK and internationally, with strong prices for rare shapes and patterns, early Fantasque and Bizarre ranges, and even more modest pieces in good condition. If you have Clarice Cliff ware in your collection, whether proudly displayed or tucked away in a cupboard, it may be time to explore its auction potential.

Above - Clarice Cliff, Orange Sunrise pattern, jug circa 1930: Sold £360

Today, Cliff’s pieces are collected both in the UK and internationally, with strong prices for rare shapes and patterns, early Fantasque and Bizarre ranges, and even more modest pieces in good condition. If you have Clarice Cliff ware in your collection, whether proudly displayed or tucked away in a cupboard, it may be time to explore its auction potential.

 

Royal Crown Derby: Tradition in Porcelain

Known for its fine craftsmanship, intricate hand-painting and use of rich colours and gilding, Royal Crown Derby has long been associated with English porcelain at its most refined. In our last sale, a pair of Royal Crown Derby Imari pattern candlesticks (No. 1128), dated 1987, captured bidders’ interest - even as second-quality pieces - a testament to the enduring appeal of this classic pattern.

The Imari 1128 design, with its dramatic cobalt blue, iron red and lavish gold detailing, is one of Crown Derby’s most iconic and collectable patterns. Originally inspired by Japanese Imari porcelain, it has been adapted and refined over centuries, becoming synonymous with the Royal Crown Derby brand.

From decorative animals and paperweights to full dinner services and mantel ornaments, Royal Crown Derby continues to have a loyal following among collectors and decorators alike. Even more recent pieces, when in good condition and of recognisable patterns, can achieve strong results at auction - particularly when paired or offered in groups.

Above - Pair of Royal Crown Derby Imari 1128 pattern candlesticks: Sold £500

 

Now Inviting Entries: Could Your Decorative Object Be Next?

If you own fine ceramics, porcelain, glass, or decorative antiques that fit within these categories, or perhaps something altogether more unusual, we would love to hear from you. Our next Antiques & Decorative Objects Sale offers the perfect opportunity to present your items to an engaged audience of collectors, decorators and dealers.

Our specialists offer free valuations, expert guidance and a supportive consignment process to help ensure your pieces achieve their full potential. Whether you have a single vase or an entire cabinet of curiosities, now is the time to discover their market value.
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