RARE LOWESTOFT PIECES AND CHINESE RED CLIFFS VASE AMONGST CERAMICS HIGHLIGHTS AT KEYS FINE SALE

A rare inscribed Lowestoft mug, a Lowestoft manganese sponged pug dog and a Chinese Red Cliffs vase are amongst over 150 pieces of English, continental and oriental ceramics to go under the hammer at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers three day Fine Sale later this month.

With a £5,000-£6,000 estimate, the very rare Lowestoft documentary mug dating from 1765 is the only recorded example of an inscribed mug which includes the person’s occupation, with the central cartouche inscribed ‘John Eldon, Carpenter at Colthorp’.  Eldon is recorded as being buried in Calthorpe (which was also known a Colthorp) Churchyard in Norfolk in 1788.

Also very rare is a Lowestoft model of a pug dog, with the body sponged in manganese with blue collar, and the eyes picked out in blue.  Lowestoft animal models were not made in any significant number, and the pug has a pre-sale estimate of £2,000-£2,500.

Meanwhile a large Red Cliffs type square tapering vase, probably Kangxi period, has a pre-sale estimate of £8,000-£10,000.  The vase belongs to a group of related porcelains produced at the end of the 17th century commemorating the visit of the song poet Sushi to Cim Bi (Red Cliffs) in Hubai Province.

The sale also includes a selection of early Worcester porcelain made around the mid 18th century, including a very rare blue and white mug with the handle terminal modelled as a face.  Such mugs are amongst the rarest survivors of early Worcester porcelain

Keys managing director and ceramics expert David Broom said, “Once again we have some really interesting Lowestoft and oriental ceramics in our Fine Sale.

“We have built up a strong reputation as the leading auction house for Lowestoft porcelain, achieving sales rates of over 90 per cent in the past couple of years, with many rare pieces selling for good prices.  Much of the Lowestoft factory’s output was focussed on tea wares and other utility pieces, and decorative items are much rarer and therefore sought-after by collectors.

“After the stir caused by various oriental items at our last Fine Sale, when a Sino Tibetan bronze Lama sold for £56,000 and a Chinese porcelain vase for £20,200, we are excited once again by the prospect of brisk bidding in the oriental section of the sale.”

The ceramics will go under the hammer on the first day of Keys’ three day Fine Sale, which runs from Wednesday 27^th March to Friday 29^th March.  More details at www.keysauctions.co.uk.