They depicted everything from state crests and mottos to topographic views and scenes from the Revolutionary era. In America they call it Historical Staffordshire and it is not unknown for rare pieces by the likes of Clews, Wood or Rogers to exceed $20,000.
These prices, that dwarf those of all but the rarest of the patterns made for the home market, go some distance to explaining the excited response to a pair of c.1820 John Rogers and Son blue and white meat dishes offered at Wingetts.
Each measuring 19in (48cm) across, they were printed with images of Boston State House from the common land within a leaf and floral border, and were offered together with a matching dinner plate (with a chip and hairline crack).
Plates on their own in this pattern retail for around $300 each in the States, so the £1400 (estimate £250-350) for the lot was surely not overkill.
The other ceramics highlight in this North Wales sale was a 19th century porcelain candle snuffer modelled as Mr Punch – possibly a Derby piece – which sold at £230.
At 9ft high by 6ft 7in wide (2.75 x 2m), a mid- to late-19th century Flemish walnut armoire was not for every interior, but there was plenty of interest in the piece, with heavy carved finials to the arched scrolled pediment, panelled doors with applied carvings and brass escutcheons and a long drawer to the base with heavy brass drop handles and backplates. Estimated at £2000-4000, it sold at £5400 to top the sale.
Requiring extensive restoration (it was missing both the front stretcher and the potboard), there was a £1600 bid for an 18th century oak and mahogany crossbanded dresser from the Welsh Marches, while a pretty late 19th century inlaid rosewood table with floral marquetry to the shaped dropleaf top and a pierced gallery to the undertier, sold at £1250.
Wingetts, Wrexham, January 28
Buyer’s premium: 10 per cent
Historical Staffordshire packs a punch
THE Staffordshire potters never missed a commercial trick. Despite the political differences that may have existed between the USA and Britain following the War of 1812, large quantities of transfer-printed wares were made specifically for the American export market during the first half of the 19th century.
