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For sale we have this outstanding quality Hannah Barlow biscuit barrel decorated with six cats in various states from relaxation to spats! The navy sgraffito work is some of the best we’ve seen and is a testament to her skills as a master ceramicist at Doulton Lambeth. This piece looks so good we decided to display it for a couple of years before deciding to put it up for sale. The barrel boasts one large work of a sleeping cat, two cats having a stand-off spat, and three others sitting and socialising. Such as endearing piece. The top and bottom borders are bands of mini florettes and blue rush groups repeated all the way around. Two blue lug handles finish the effect on either side.

Condition wise, there are a few things to mention here. First, and rather obviously, the lid has gone missing and this is an old replacement lid that came with the piece when we acquired it. The original lid would have been stoneware. Secondly, the top rim has two nibbles (one 5mm and the other 1mm) and the top inside rim also has two nibbles (one 8mm and the other 5mm). The base edge has one 2mm nibble. Other than this, there are no other cracks, chips or any restoration to the piece. The photos clearly show the condition. Beneath, we have Hannah Barlows “HBB” monogram together with the shape code 498 and the Doulton Lambeth cog and “England” present and correct. This places the production of the piece around the early 1890s.

If as a collector you can look past the lid and a few nibbles to the tremendous quality of this example, this is a piece that will give you a lot of enjoy.

Double Ribbed Martin Brothers Lustre vase – June 1907

For sale is this really interesting example of Edwin and Walter Martins’ organic pottery work. The vase is of subtle bulbous form, with a multitude of thin horizontal ribs and then large pronouced vertical ribs from the waist to the top rim. The Brothers have then applied a rich deep brown / dark grey / black colour with metallic oxide to give a wonderful lustre to the piece. In the photographs, observe the different angles where we try and illustrate the effect. This is a wonderful example of their work and is a most subtle, yet highly competent execution.

Condition and Provenance

The vase is in excellent original condition, with no chips, cracks, or repairs. A couple of specks on the main body of the vase are small imperfections during the manufacture of the vase. The signature beneath is 100% consistent with period pieces and is marked “6-1907, Martin Bros, London & Southall”, again entirely consistent and authentic. See the V&A Museum picture below of a virtually identical example from the same year by Edwin.

Offered for sale is a pair of wonderful lemonade beakers by renowned Doulton Lambeth artist George Tinworth. The beakers are decorated with his lovely swirling and beaded “Seaweed Scroll” design in the richest of green hues. Intermittent foliage in bold blue has been placed between, above or below the scroll work. The background is in an oatmeal colour repeatedly stamped with a small design to finish the aesthetic intensity of these art pottery pieces. Adorned to the top are excellent conditioned brass rims. In excellent original condition and fully signed, stamped and dated 1877.

A rare 1887 Doulton Lambeth stoneware vase designed by celebrated artist Eliza Simmance. Featuring rich cobalt blue glazes and hand-detailed floral work, this 18 cm piece is in flawless original condition. Complete with impressed factory and artist marks on the base.

Early Martin Brothers Salt-Glazed Open Salt Dish (Circa 1880s)

This distinctive open salt dish, crafted by Robert Wallace Martin of the renowned Martin Brothers pottery, dates to the 1880s and represents a superb example of early British art pottery. The piece features a robust, architectural form with a squared, lobed profile resting on four domed feet.

The exterior is defined by tactile detailing, utilizing a raised, beaded border that frames the upper and lower registers. The flat sides showcase a recessed, vertically fluted arcade motif, which contrasts sharply with the smooth, sweeping curves of the prominent corners. A rich, earthy palette characterizes the dish: the interior basin and upper sections are bathed in a mottled ochre and mustard-yellow glaze, while the lower corner sections exhibit a deep, resonant cobalt blue.

The underside bears the clearly incised signature “Martin Bros, London & Southall,” authenticating its early origins. Notably, the base retains a label from the esteemed Whitley Collection, providing highly desirable provenance for the discerning collector.

The dish presents in exceptional, unrestored original condition, free from subsequent damage or repairs. It exhibits small authentic, in-manufacture firing cracks—visible within the interior basin and underside—which are inherent to the early Martin Brothers firing process and do not detract from its structural integrity or historic appeal.

For sale is a delightful and very early Hannah Barlow Horses jug, dated 1874. Presented with two horses galloping to the front of the jug, wild grasses adorn the rear of the jug. Blue foliate designs dominate the neck up to the top rim and are typical of these early, simpler designs that are more understated than flamboyant. The handle is similarly decorated in repeated blue foliates from bottom to top.

In excellent condition, the piece is highly original, with only a small flake invisibly corrected to the rim. Everything else is correct and original as the day it left the factory. Stamped with the early oval Doulton Lambeth mark and dated 1874. Hannah Barlow’s initials are clear beneath as well as a production code.

This is a superb piece of Doulton Lambeth history which displays superbly and has a wonderful glaze to it. Should you be interested, you will not be disappointed adding it to your collection!

Extremely Rare William Moorcroft Flambé Bowl – Spanish Pattern (c. 1910–1916)

This exceptionally rare flambé bowl is a remarkable example of William Moorcroft’s artistry and experimental mastery during the early Burslem period. Measuring 23cm in diameter and 7cm in height, the bowl is decorated in the highly desirable Spanish pattern, one of Moorcroft’s most striking floral designs, introduced around 1910 and produced only for a short period.

The interior reveals the hallmark tubelined decoration, with three large Spanish flowers at the centre and four medium blooms gracefully arranged around the upper edges. The exterior continues this flowing design, displaying three further large flowers evenly distributed around the circumference. The entire piece glows with a rich, iridescent pinkish-red flambé glaze, a finish Moorcroft frequently undertook personally in his kiln experiments. On this example, subtle overfiring to one side provides both visual depth and a tangible reminder of its experimental origins.

The underside is especially striking, showing intense iridescence with oily rainbow hues, reminiscent of a delicate film of light across a surface—an effect unique to flambé glazes of this period. Beneath, the bowl bears no painted signature, though its authenticity is undisputed, confirmed by its important provenance as part of the Moorcroft Museum Collection, where it was catalogued and retains its original label: “Moorcroft Museum, 00461.”

The Spanish pattern itself is historically significant, reflecting William Moorcroft’s early exploration of bold, stylised floral motifs, influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement and Art Nouveau aesthetics. Produced only in the early 1910s and in relatively small numbers, Spanish pattern pieces are today exceptionally rare, with flambé-fired examples being among the most coveted of all early Moorcroft works.

This superb and rare bowl, with its museum provenance, flambé glaze, and iconic Spanish design, represents a true collector’s piece—an opportunity to acquire an object of both aesthetic beauty and considerable historical importance within the oeuvre of William Moorcroft.

For sale is this exquisite, early Florian Ware vase by William Moorcroft, dating to around 1902. Decorated with what we believe to be forget-me-nots surrounded by whisps of foliage, it is a little firecracker at only 7cm tall! With warm blues and greens, under light in our cabinets it really does look magnificent. The whole vase from top to toe is brimming with decoration which also makes it so appealing.

William Moorcroft at the time of making this piece was working for James MacIntyre & Co, where he became very successful with Florian Ware and after they closed his department, he continued in his own name to go onto become one of the most successful art potters of his time.

Offered for sale in excellent original condition, this vase has had no damage or restoration. It has the “William Moorcroft Des” signature in green, present and correct for the period. “Des” indicated he was the designer working for MacIntyre and is most often seen following his name on these early pieces.

For sale we have a stunning, large Doulton Lambeth bowl by artist Elizabeth Fisher, dating to 1882. The colours and designs both inside and out on this bowl are of the first order, with geometric shapes integrated into softer rounded shapes. The collour way is exquisite – we have rich blues in the centre of the designs, followed by light blue, yellow and then purple and pink to create a most striking bowl. The edge is rimmed with solid silver, made in Birmingham and is original to manufacture.

The Bowl is free from any chips, cracks or restoration. The silver rim is original. Beneath we have Eliza Fisher’s signature, together with the marks of the assistant and thrower, a code “327” and the Doulton Lambeth cog stamp with the date 1882.

For sale we have this tall and commanding Doulton Lambeth vase by George Tinworth. It is an early piece, dating to 1876.

George has used his signature “Seaweed Scroll” design across the vase to great effect, with subtle green seaweed contrasted against a rich brown background. The beading work to the scrolls is refined and delicate. Geometric tactile borders reside above and below the scrolling, with vertical leaf patterns extenuating the narrow base section to give interest and play to its height. The leaves also have subtle purples and pinks in them, which really adds to the piece overall. Inside the rim, the purple is evident again and adds further contrast to a well executed vase by Doulton Lambeth’s master artist.

Presented in undamaged original condition, the vase is stamped correctly beneath with the oval Doulton Lambeth stamp and the date 1876. This vase was originally one of two, and only one was signed with the GT monogram to the main body, which was a typical scenario. The picture of the other vase is provided below as proof that this piece is 100% a George Tinworth vase. Offered for sale at a very competitive price. The buyer will not be disappointed!