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What exactly is it?

For sale is this highly unusual and grotesque Martin Brothers reptile sitting on top of an upside down mushroom. Intricately constructed with a body hideous to behold, we have not seen another quite like this piece. The creature, with almost human like face, has a hand to its mouth like it is whistling, whilst its menacing double-taloned feet grip the underside of the mushroom. The body is contorted and detailed as if scaly, the texture brought out by blue against the otherwise pale cream colourway. The creature has a long tail, going down to the base of the mushroom stem and then curling around. The mushroom has long painted green strokes.

Which brother made it?

Likely to have been made by the brother most famed for grotesque, whimsical and macabre creations, Robert Wallace Martin.

For sale we this delightful and cute little CH Brannam “open salt” decorated with two surprisingly detailed fish dating to 1901. This is the work of Frank Thomas, one of the better known artists for the potter. The fish are surrounded by various colourful waterplants. It is a little gem of a piece.

Condition

Offered in excellent original condition with no chips, cracks or restoration.

Authenticity

For authenticity, beneath, we have the registration number of CH Brannam, “Rd 44561”, the signature CH Brannam Barum, the signature “FT” signifying the work of Frank Thomas and the date 1901.

Doulton Lambeth Hannah Barlow Lions Biscuit Barrel (c. 1890s)

A magnificent and exceptionally rare piece of late 19th-century British Art Pottery. This Doulton Lambeth biscuit barrel features an exquisite, 360-degree sgraffito study of a lion pride—depicting a majestic male lion, two lionesses, and a young male—incised directly into the clay by legendary artist Hannah Barlow. Complete with its beautiful original lid, it stands in pristine, untouched condition.

• Dimensions: 15 cm H × 13 cm W (base)

• Condition: Perfect, unrestored original condition

• Marks: Stamped Doulton Lambeth “cog” mark with “ENGLAND”, incised HB monogram, and factory pattern numbers

A superlative collector’s item representing the pinnacle of Hannah Barlow’s wild animal studies.

DM for pricing and availability!

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.

For sale is an exceptionally high quality Doulton Lambeth bowl, dating 1875. Made by renowned early artist Arthur Barlow, he was the brother to similarly famous Hannah Barlow. The bowl is intricately decorated to the body in typical, rich 1870’s style, with strong influences from George Tinworth. This can be observed by the beaded scrollwork around the circumference, and the two cherub-like putti emerging from trumpeted flowers. The putti are highly likely the work of Tinworth or John Broad, known to add collaboration design to other artists’ pieces. The colours and rich glaze are glorious. The blues are vibrant, and the purple tones so, so alluring.

For sale is a very early Doulton Lambeth pitcher by Arthur Barlow with a unique story. This pitcher belonged to one of the players responsible for the very first inaugural FA Cup win in 1872. William Crake (aka William Parry), playing for Wanderers FC in 1872, claimed a 1-0 victory at Kennington Oval over a tough game with the Royal Engineers.

The pitcher itself is a highly desirable piece in the typical early style and colours of Doulton and Barlow. With the main body decorated with bold blue scrolling florals, there are miniature scrolling floral borders above and below. Further tactile anglular pattern borders sit below the lid, between the scroll work and to the base. The handle is decorated with a simple leaf venation pattern. The top is adorned with the original solid silver rim and lid. To top centre is the Crake family crest, and inside the lid is a lovely crisp inscription “To William Parry Crake from E.N.C. February 11th 1873.” with decorative embellishment.

This early piece is in very good condition. Professional stabilising of the handle is evident, and there are a few minor nibbles to the base commensurate with age. Otherwise, the lid is all original and there is no evidence of any other chips or cracks. The base is stamped with the early oval Doulton Lambeth mark and Arthur Barlow’s “ABB” signature is present and correct.

William Moorcroft Pomegranate Vase (Circa mid-1920s)

Presenting a fine William Moorcroft vase in the highly sought-after Pomegranate pattern, dating to the mid-1920s. Measuring 13cm in height and 9.5cm in width, the vessel features a well-proportioned baluster form with a gently flared rim and a sweeping circular foot. The piece survives in excellent original condition, completely free from chips, cracks, or restoration.

The tube-lined decoration displays the iconic Pomegranate design, featuring a continuous frieze of both whole and open fruit revealing intricately detailed seeds. These are interspersed with lush clusters of rounded berries and trailing autumnal foliage. The vibrant ochre, russet, and deep crimson tones of the pomegranates contrast strikingly against the characteristic inky cobalt blue ground, which transitions subtly to a mottled greenish-ochre toward the upper rim. The high-gloss glaze remains rich and reflective, enhancing the depth of the metallic oxide colors.

The underside displays the impressed factory marks “MOORCROFT” and “MADE IN ENGLAND”, alongside William Moorcroft’s painted “WM” flash monogram in blue, confirming its authentic mid-1920s production period.

Early Doulton Lambeth Stoneware Jug by Arthur Barlow, dated 1874, with Silver Mounts and Hinged Lid

This exceptional jug, produced in 1874, is a particularly fine example of Arthur Barlow’s mature decorative style. The elegant ovoid body rises to a tall, tapering neck and is fitted with an ornate silver-mounted hinged cover, its repoussé decoration complementing the flowing organic forms of the pottery beneath. The substantial swept handle provides a graceful counterbalance to the elongated neck while lending the piece a refined architectural silhouette.

Provenance & Condition

The underside retains its full complement of factory marks, including the impressed Doulton Lambeth oval stamp with the date 1874, Arthur Barlow’s impressed “ABB” artist’s initials, together with the relevant assistant decorators’ marks, firmly authenticating its early production and studio attribution.

The jug is presented in excellent overall condition, displaying no significant issues to the stoneware body or decoration. The silver-mounted hinged cover is secure, and it is noted that adhesive has been used at some point in the past to reinforce the fitting of the silver lid to the ceramic top rim. This is a minor historic restoration that does not detract from the piece’s outstanding decorative appearance or its importance as an early, fully documented work by one of Doulton Lambeth’s most celebrated artists.

Martin Brothers Imp playing the Blocks – Robert Wallace Martin

For sale is this delightful and cheeky looking imp playing the blocks. It is in excellent condition, with a very minor old “touch in” to the tip of the block instrument. Otherwise it is in wonderful original condition. It hails from the prominent collection of Barry Stock, a well known collector based out of the UK.

The Martin Brothers Imps are a fascinating and highly collectible series of grotesque figures, each one depicting a whimsical imp engaged in playing various musical instruments. These figures, created by the renowned Martin Brothers, are celebrated for their unique blend of humor, artistry, and intricate craftsmanship. The Martin Brothers—Robert Wallace Martin, Edwin Martin, Walter Martin, and Charles Martin—were pioneers in the field of ceramic art during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They are best known for their imaginative and often eccentric creations, which have garnered a dedicated following among collectors and art enthusiasts.