Inviting Entries: The Age of Design


March 2026

We are now inviting entries for The Age of Design, a specialist auction celebrating the defining movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From the handcrafted ideals of the Arts & Crafts movement through the flowing forms of Art Nouveau to the bold geometry of Art Deco, this sale will explore a period of remarkable creativity, innovation and change. Bringing together furniture, lighting, metalwork, glass and ceramics, the auction will trace the evolution of design from traditional craftsmanship to modern production. Works by makers such as Liberty & Co., Clarice Cliff, Christopher Dresser and their contemporaries continue to resonate strongly with collectors, decorators and design enthusiasts alike.

With entries now open, we are pleased to share a selection of pieces and makers that reflect the quality and style we are seeking for the sale.

Clarice Cliff and the Bold Spirit of Art Deco Ceramics

Clarice Cliff stands out as one of the designers who most vividly expressed the energy and optimism of the interwar period. Her work for Newport Pottery, particularly within the Bizarre range, introduced bold colour, stylised pattern and a modern sensibility that continues to appeal to collectors today.

The Autumn Crocus pattern coffee service is a classic example of her instantly recognisable style. With its hand painted decoration and vibrant palette, it reflects a clear shift away from traditional ceramics towards something more expressive and contemporary. Even partial services such as this remain highly collectible, particularly when key elements such as the coffee pot are present.

Clarice Cliff continues to perform strongly at auction, with demand spanning both established collectors and those new to the field. We are currently inviting entries of Bizarre ware, Fantasque designs and other Art Deco ceramics, as well as works by designers influenced by Cliff’s pioneering approach.

Liberty & Co. and the Arts & Crafts Ideal

Few names are as closely associated with the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau movement as Liberty & Co., whose London store became a defining force in shaping British taste at the turn of the 20th century. By collaborating with leading designers, Liberty championed craftsmanship and artistic integrity at a time when industrial production was rapidly expanding.

A fine example of this approach can be seen in a David Veasey designed pewter twin handled loving cup, decorated with stylised honesty and inscribed “For Old Times Sake”. Pieces such as this demonstrate Liberty’s ability to blend sentiment, symbolism and design into everyday objects, elevating functional wares into something far more considered.

Today, Liberty metalwork remains highly sought after, particularly pieces designed by known makers or featuring distinctive naturalistic motifs. For this sale, we are actively seeking Liberty & Co. pewter, Cymric silver, Tudric ware and associated decorative metalwork, alongside wider Arts & Crafts pieces that reflect the movement’s emphasis on beauty, material and craftsmanship.

Shapland & Petter and the Craft of Arts & Crafts Furniture

Among the leading makers of Arts & Crafts furniture, Shapland & Petter of Barnstaple hold a distinctive place, known for combining traditional craftsmanship with subtle decorative detail. Their work often reflects the influence of designers such as Voysey, with an emphasis on proportion, honest materials and carefully considered ornament.

A strong example can be seen in an Arts & Crafts oak sideboard, featuring an overhanging top with raised back, shaped supports and characteristic pierced heart cut-outs. The base, with its combination of drawers, open kneehole and linenfold panelled cupboards with applied strap hinges, demonstrates the balance between function and design that defines the workshop’s output.

Furniture by Shapland & Petter continues to attract steady interest, particularly pieces that retain original features and strong design elements. For the Age of Design sale, we are inviting entries of Arts & Crafts furniture, including sideboards, cabinets and smaller pieces, as well as works by associated makers that reflect the movement’s focus on craftsmanship, utility and form.

Christopher Dresser and the Birth of Modern Design

Widely regarded as one of the first independent industrial designers, Christopher Dresser played a pivotal role in shaping modern design. His work sits at the intersection of the Arts & Crafts movement and the emergence of a more functional, forward thinking aesthetic.

A Christopher Dresser designed six division toast rack for Hukin & Heath, circa 1880, offers a more compact but equally telling example of his approach to design. Executed in silver plate and stamped with the maker’s marks and model number, the piece reflects Dresser’s move towards clean, geometric form and functional clarity. Even in such a domestic object, his rejection of excessive ornament in favour of simplicity and purpose is evident, marking a decisive shift towards modern design principles that continue to influence collectors and designers today.

Original pieces designed by or attributed to Dresser remain highly desirable, particularly those produced by leading manufacturers of the period. For the Age of Design sale, we are seeking furniture, metalwork and decorative objects influenced by Dresser and his contemporaries, as well as early works that signal the move towards modernism.

Consign for The Age of Design

The pieces highlighted here reflect just a small part of what defines this period of design, where craftsmanship, innovation and artistic vision come together. From handcrafted oak furniture and repoussé metalwork to Art Nouveau glass and Art Deco lighting, these objects continue to shape how we collect and live with design today.

We are now inviting entries for The Age of Design. If you have furniture, ceramics, glass, lighting or decorative objects from the Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau or Art Deco periods, our specialists would be delighted to advise on suitability and valuation. Submissions are open, and we welcome enquiries from collectors, designers and private vendors looking to place their pieces within a carefully curated sale dedicated to this influential era.
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