HOW TO
COLLECT ANTIQUE
POTTERY AND PORCELAIN - A BEGINNERS GUIDE AND FAQ
Who
are Antiques and Arts Antiqueszone ?
We
are collectors, antique collectibles enthusiasts and artists with
connections and
twenty years experience and involvement with UK antiques collecting,
decorative arts, art history, fine art
practice and contemporary art.
Where do
you find antiques, ceramics, collectibles, arts?
We
buy from private collectors and the established English
antiques trade. We are constantly on the look out for interesting,
attractive and worthwhile acquisitions.
Can I buy
new, modern, or reproduction items from Antiques and Arts and
Antiqueszone?
No
- we do not stock or sell modern reproductions. It is our policy to
sell only genuine antiques and good antique and vintage collectibles.
Do you
only exhibit interesting or quality items?
On
Antiques and Arts Antiqueszone websites you can buy, browse
and enjoy antiques and
arts... You will find many interesting, attractive and often very fine
ceramic and decorative arts pieces from the 18th, 19th and 20th century
with a 1960s dateline. Some items are aesthetically very pleasing -
while others are quite rare.
Are you
Antique English porcelain and Antique pottery experts for information,
exhibits and sales?
We
like to consider that we are but we leave that judgment to you the
antiques enthusiast and collector. We are certainly proud of the
premier quality of our Worcester porcelain collector and Antique
pottery collector pages. Check them out for yourself and see what you
think? We have many other websites, links and pages to help you find
and buy.
Who is antiques expert Hamilton
Bear?
Our resident Antiqueszone expert on antique pottery, porcelain
antiques, art pottery, decorative arts and antiques and
collectibles.
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Where are
antique collectibles for sale prices listed?
Prices
of individual items in GBP are found on the detailed description page
near the bottom, next to the BUY NOW payment link buttons. See example
How do I find out the shipping costs for the beautiful Limehouse
porcelain antique cup?
Prices to ship UK, EU and
Worldwide are indicated on the item description page for all items.
What is
the price in my local currency and do I have to change
currency at the bank to buy antique pottery?
Use an online currency
exchange converter like XE.Com
for comparison. No need to visit your local bank to change currency:
you can buy direct from our web pages via our secure payment links. See
next question.
Please
tell me how to buy an item?
By
using the Paypal BUY NOW payment button for your geographic location
(UK or WORLDWIDE). These are located on the item description page. You
will be taken to a secure page where you can pay by credit or
debit card. This is the best way to pay for your antiques: instantly
secures the
item and guarantees early dispatch.
Can I
send payment for my antique pottery, antique porcelain, art pottery
purchase by mail?
Yes.
Please confirm details by email using the link on the item description
page or email shop@antiqueszone.co.uk
We accept mailed payment by
cheque in UK pounds (any amount) or in your "home"
currency (over £50.00 GBP equivalent). Non sterling GBP cheques are
subject to an additional Bank transaction fee of £10.00 GBP
equivalent. Payment can also be made by supported third party
cheque (bankers draft, cashier's check, money order). No items will be
shipped until payment has cleared.
I am
located in the USA I can only find Buy Now buttons marked UK and
WORLDWIDE?
Use the Buy Now Worldwide
button as the charge to ship to the
USA and Worldwide is the same.
I am located in Europe outside the UK, which Buy Now payment button do
I use?
You
will be charged the EU shipping rate as listed on the item description
page. Please use the Buy Now Worldwide button. We will refund
the
difference (as EU shipping is less) when the item is dispatched.
I'm a UK buyer will the Buy Now UK button automatically calculate the
exact shipping costs?
Yes.
The Buy Now button automatically adds the UK shipping cost (as
indicated on the item description page) to the price of the item and
indicates the total due.
The antique ceramic item I want to buy is marked with a red
dot?
The red dot  item is sold. Items still
for sale on general Antiqueszone listing pages are indicated by 
a green dot.
I cannot find the item price or Buy Now payment buttons on the detailed
item description page?
Is the
item marked SOLD? Price
and payment links have been removed. It may temporarily only be
available elsewhere; email
from the item description page for clarification and to check
availability of similar items.
How long will it take to dispatch my antique collectible item?
We aim to dispatch within
three working days of confirmed payment. You will be regularly updated
by email.
When will my antique arrive?
An
estimate of delivery timescale is enclosed with the dispatch
confirmation email. This is a guide issued by the courier and not a
guarantee of actual delivery date or time .
Re. UK postage: How will my valuable Staffordshire Salt glaze teapot be
sent?
Most
antique ceramic items in the UK are shipped via Royal Mail Special
Delivery. This is an insured signed for and guaranteed next day service
which is fully traceable.
Can I buy antique pottery bargains on the web?
Check
out the Antiqueszone
Bargainzone pages for antiques, ceramics,
porcelain antiques and decorative arts items under £150 GBP. The
Bargainzone link is http://www.antiquepottery.biz
Is it possible to learn more about antique porcelain and pottery?
Yes,
by regularly attending good antiques fairs and fine art auction viewing
days to look at pieces and ideally handle them. This is the best way of
getting a feel for what antique ceramics is all about. Many ceramic
antiques are not marked so studying their characteristics and
knowing the wares from
a
particular pottery maker through handling is the best starting
point for identification.
Are there
any good books available about collecting antique pottery and
antique ceramics?
There
are many published works that have come to be regarded as
standard reference works on the subject or a particular maker. Our
recommended reading list is a very long one. Unfortunately many are
long out of
print and difficult to obtain. Below is a list of just a few of our
favorites to get you started.
Antique
Pottery Books select antique pottery bibliography
European Ceramic Art, W.B. Honey, Faber and
Faber, 1949
The
Illustrated Guide to Staffordshire Salt-glazed Stoneware, Arnold R. Mountford,
Barrie and Jenkins, 1971
Creamware, Donald Towner,Faber and
Faber, 1978
Made in
Liverpool - Liverpool Pottery and Porcelain 1700 - 1850, Ed. Terence A. Lockett and
E. Myra Brown, NMGM, 1993
Delftware
The Tin-glazed Earthenware of the British Isles, Michael Archer, London:
The Stationary Office, 1997
English
Delftware,
F.H. Garner and Michael Archer, Faber and Faber, Revised Edition 1972
Spode, Leonard Whiter, Barrie and
Jenkins, 1970 & 1978
English
Blue and White Porcelain of the Eighteenth Century, Bernard Watney, Faber and
Faber, Revised Edition 1973
The
Illustrated Guide to Worcester Porcelain 1751-1793, Henry Sandon, Herbert
Jenkins, 1969
Derby
Porcelain,
John Twitchett, Barrie and Jenkins, 1980
Staffordshire
Porcelain,
Ed. Geoffrey Godden, Granada, 1983
English
Earthenware Figures 1740 - 1840, Pat Halfpenny, Antique
Collectors' Club, 1991
How are the different types of antique marks found on antique pottery
made and described?
Four types of antique marks
are found on pottery and porcelain. They may be painted - applied by hand with a
paint brush. Incised where they have been
scratched into the wet clay with a sharp pointed instrument. Impressed where a mark is left by a
specially made stamp pressed into the clay and printed where a stamp is
'inked' and used to transfer a printed mark to the pot usually
before final glazing.
What exactly do the antique marks on my pottery mean?
There
are a number of reasons why antique marks were applied to
antique ceramics - some unfortunately remain obscure. Best is when
antique marks indicate a known makers mark indicating which factory
made the
piece. A pattern name antique mark may be present or a pattern or
pottery shape number for identification for
manufacture or sale.
A numeric
date mark or cypher is sometimes found. A very useful antique mark as
it helps date the piece. Curious
antique marks are the workman's marks occasionally found found
on
antique pottery which were
probably used to identify the work of individuals for piece
work
payment. Reward for potting, decoration or both. These are
notably found on Early Spode blue and white; First Period Worcester and
antique Derby Porcelain.
How can I best use the antique marks on my antique pottery to identify
the maker?
The
best way is to get hold of a good reference book on antique ceramic
marks. For antique English ceramics you cannot do better than the Encyclopedia
of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks, Geoffrey A.
Godden, Barrie
and Jenkins. The pocket size New
Handbook of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks
by the same author is a handy pocket size reference you can take with
you to antique fairs and antique auctions. You will find more
comprehensive and detailed listings of marks by
individual
factories in specialist works devoted to the work of one
factory
or type of ware.
How long
have Antiques and Arts Antiqueszone been on the web?
Our
very first antiques and collectibles web pages went out live in
December 1998. We have continued to introduce a range of Antiqueszone
websites highlighting aspects of buying and collecting
antique
pottery, porcelain antiques, blue and
white pottery, worcester porcelain, belleek pottery etc.
Do you
exhibit all your antique pottery, antique porcelain and decorative arts
for sale online?
No.
It is only a small representative selection. Items may be offered
elsewhere. Often we sell pieces before
we can fully research, photograph, write and upload a web page for them.
How do I
find antique collectibles antique pottery exhibits quickly on the
antiqueszone websites?
Use
the search box. This is located on all home pages and general
listing/index pages. This
is quick easy and fast. More fun perhaps is to browse around the back
lot through the thumbnails and
lose yourself among the dusty hidden virtually shelves of forgotten
treasures...
That way you do not miss anything and find great antique
pieces you might not have otherwise thought about!
Antiques and Arts Antiqueszone Search Engine gets
results and covers all the websites!
Try
the Antiques and Arts Antiqueszone search engine now:
Tip:
Submit a general term e.g. English porcelain or Staffordshire to return
loads and loads of documents. For a specific search try the factory
name or maker e.g. Worcester, Derby Minton, Spode, Ruskin, etc.
Some
search engines get a bit stale. How often is the Antiques and Arts
Antiqueszone search engine updated?
The
Antiques and Arts Antiqueszone search engine is updated
weekly.
Are all
your listed web antique porcelain, antique pottery, art deco pottery,
art
pottery, antique and collectibles exhibits for sale?
Yes
unless the item is sold or is reserved pending finalization of
an order. Items for sale will have a price indicated on the
detailed item description page.
Our antique archive
reference pages
provide antiques information to help further your collecting interests.
Examples of
interesting antiques from private or museum collections or great
antiques
already sold but worthy of further worldwide exhibition and
appreciation.
Should I
buy antiques and collectibles for investment?
We
would recommend you buy for pleasure not investment.
Antiques and arts are subject to fluctuations in fashion, taste and
demand like everything else. Some antiques do fall in value in real
terms for example - some 18th century porcelain although still keenly
collected - is far more affordable now than in the 1950s. Antique brown
furniture has taken a nosedive since the heady days of the 1980s.
However today there
are far more serious antique enthusiasts and collectors than ever
before,with far more areas of accepted antiques and arts
collecting specialism as well. Each area is competing for the attention
of new generations of collectors and the field is ever growing! Antiques
and antique pottery and ceramics can prove good long term investments
but it depends on what you buy and when you sell....
How are the prices of antiques decided?
Prices
of good antiques and collectibles are never "fixed" for long. Over time
some go up and some go down. There are
many factors that determine the specific selling price of antiques
at any point in time. Asking for a "best price", making an offer,
haggling and negotiation, is part of traditional antiques buying and
selling at many UK antiques fairs and markets. On the websites items
are priced to sell but we are always willing to discuss any item with
serious buyers.
Is it cheaper to buy antique
pottery online or at UK antiques fairs and auctioneers?
There is no clear answer to this as the antiques market is so
diverse and virtually every sale and every item is different and unique
in some way. On the web you can browse thousands of antiques for free
or search quickly and purchase from a number of reputable sources with
the only extra being the cost of shipping.
Consider
what you might save buying on the web?
Admission to a good UK antiques fair costs around £12.00 and upward and
looking at larger showground fairs can be very frustrating and time
consuming.
Travel any distance to an antiques show and that's another £50.00
petrol before you buy anything. And maybe it simply isn't convenient
for you to get there at
all.
Buying direct from an auctioneers costs around 20%
extra in buyer's premium to be added to the hammer price plus
increased completion with other buyers forces up prices. Caveat emptor
(buyer beware) as auctioneers give little or no consumer
protection. If you fail to notice damage or restoration you were
expected to notice and they forgot to mention or your purchase turns
out to be not quite what you
expected.
How old
are the antiques and arts at Antiqueszone?
The
oldest current antique item dates circa 1680. Our youngest
from the vintage 1960s.
I am
looking for a particular antique item, can you help?
We
do maintain clients "wants" lists for regular buyers. Email your
antique collectibles antique pottery and
porcelain wants to shop@antiqueszone.co.uk
as most of our pieces are not illustrated on the websites.
How can I
be sure your antiques are genuine as described?
They are. We
try our very best with all pieces and we are knowledgeable! Time is
spent researching pieces before they are exhibited on the web. All our
attributions are based on our reasonable interpretation of current
knowledge which continues to evolve as new discoveries are made. We may
rarely and unintentionally get factory
attributions
wrong on unmarked pieces so if you think you know better let us know.
It
is not so long ago that pieces of
London Limehouse porcelain were mistakenly described as Gilbody's
Liverpool.
You say
this piece is painted by a famous ceramic artist, how do you know?
Attributions
of painters of particular fine china pieces is always difficult. Early
pieces are are rarely signed by the ceramic artist. We
rely on our experience, compare known reference examples, museum
collections, factory pattern books, remnants of sketch books left by
the painter, the standard reference works, etc.
Can you
tell me about my antique pottery and what is it worth? Do you
offer free advice and valuations of my antiques?
Can you identify and value my antique ceramic dish for me?
We are not
the Antiques Roadshow - although we never miss
the show. The area of antiques, arts and collectibles is vast: by
browsing
through our exhibition pages you will gain an insight into our
specialist knowledge and expertise which may help you self-research
your piece.
If you are
thinking of selling then the price or valuation you might expect for
your antique will
be less than you would have to pay to purchase a similar replacement
item from a specialist dealer.
Due
to the large volume of requests we regret we are unable to offer online
valuation and identification services for your antiques.
Can I get
a refund on my antique collectibles website purchase?
Yes
if you return the item
in the same condition as when dispatched in
accordance with our terms. Your purchase price will
then be will be refunded as soon as
possible.
We
do not want dissatisfied collector clients and wish
to maintain your continuing interest in antiques as a confident web
buyer and
valued customer. Please refer to the Terms link for more information.
I want to
see testimonials, great feedback and positive comments from on-line
buyers before I order antiques.
No problem! The best recommendation is good customer feedback - check
out the Antiques and Arts Antiqueszone Testimonials
page. Read how well we package; how trustworthy and reliable we are;
what
real web buyers really think about our great service...
Can I
keep in touch with latest Antiques and Arts Antiqueszone antique
ceramics collecting updates and special offers?
New antique collectibles
items are regularly added to the websites to replace sold pieces. To
hear first about any special antique pottery
offers, antique auctions and time limited promotions - why not become a fan? Join
our Facebook page as a friend or follow
us on Twitter
Where do I sign up for Qualitas the Antiques and Arts Newsletter?
We have replaced our
occasional antique pottery newsletter publication Qualitas with instant
- Antiqueszone on Twitter - tweets on antiques.
Your
antiques look so good in the photographs but are they perfect?
All
antiques and antique ceramic pieces will show some signs of age, wear
and usage. They may
have undergone some restoration either relatively recently or show
signs of "old restorations". Minor damage -
tiny chips, rim fritting, hairline, crazing, staining are commonplace
with antique
pottery and porcelain. Perfect pieces do not exist compared to modern
new items.
Minor
blemishes, faults and firing defects were also part of the antique
pottery production process and help give these items their charm.
Condition of our antiques is illustrated by photographs and further
highlighted in the item descriptions,
Can I use
antique pottery everyday?
Antique pottery is not
recommended for everyday use. Put that delicate Belleek Grass
pattern cup and saucer in the dishwasher or cook the George Jones
majolica Strawberry plate in the microwave and see what happens...
(Please don't try this at home guys!)
I want to
see more photographs of an antiques exhibit: from another angle and
close-up; is this possible?
We
include a number of good
quality photographs as part of the item description. These may include
close
up details of interesting features antique marks and any significant
damages. Click on the  button
for larger images in a separate browser window. Send
additional image requests to shop@antiqueszone.co.uk
or use the email
link on the item description page. All images remain
under copyright © Photography at Antiques and Arts
Antiqueszone and are not be used without permission.
How about
free Condition Reports?
Condition reports are included as
part of the online description for all antique pottery, porcelain
antiques, decorative arts and collectable for sale. Good detailed
photographs are also included to enable an instant appraisal of the
qualities of the piece. If you have questions about an item or require
further information send your request to shop@antiqueszone.co.uk
or use
the email link on the description page.
I
understand an antique with damage or restoration is still valuable; can
you explain please?
Recent
price trends at both auction and leading
antique fairs clearly indicate that highly desirable damaged pieces
sell just as well as (near unobtainable) perfect examples. We have seen
prices for attractive damaged or restored pieces sell for the same or
more than perfect examples. In the exciting world of English Victorian
Majolica pottery rare decorative pieces with restoration (often badly
done)
or minor losses, sell for the same prices as near perfect pieces.
Any seasoned collector will tell you that a collection of perfect
pieces is limited both in range and interest - and difficult to acquire. We always consider when, if
ever, another similar or better example
might turn up to fill that gap in our collection?
When
we buy antiques collectibles antique pottery we ask ourselves how far
any imperfections
spoil the appearance and enjoyment of these rare and delicate pieces?
Why is
the restoration of antique pottery and porcelain so important?
We have no problem with
restoration providing it is well done enhances the visual qualities of
an attractive ceramic item and the buyer is aware of it. The
work of some good modern restorers is an art and almost undetectable.
When done well it improves both the attractiveness and enjoyment of the
piece. It should also be viewed as conservation of a piece for future
generations as often without timely attention a fragile piece would
deteriorate further and might well be lost altogether.
Restoration should always be left to the professional restorer who is
best able to judge how much or how little?
We
do not
automatically advocate the removal or disguise of old
restorations
with modern, improved methods - or suggest that minor
imperfections, blemishes, hairlines should be filled in or repainted.
Each piece is unique and has to be judged accordingly. The use of metal
staples for example was a widespread method or repair to breaks in
ceramics until comparatively recently. This was often very skillfully
done. Where staples are well hidden on the back of an antique pottery
plate or dish and the look for display is still good, then it may be
better not to weaken a
sound repair attempting to remove staples, fill, glue and repaint.
Do you
auction antiques and collectibles exhibits online?
We
very occasionally offer items on online auction sites but can and do
offer
better prices and deals on the Antiqueszone websites.
Can I buy
Antiqueszone antiques and antique pottery at antique fairs and antique
centres?
We
currently have no plans to return to antique fairs, an antique shop or
antique centre. The Antiques and Arts Antiqueszone websites are very
popular with antique collectibles enthusiasts and are always
open.
I am
worried that my antique purchase will arrive broken or damaged. How
well do you pack and ship worldwide?
We
consider it vital that we take all appropriate measures to
ensure your antiques arrive in A1 good shape and preserve them for the
joy of future generations of collectors. All our antiques are fragile
and require individual solutions for trouble free
worldwide dispatch. It is part of our service to
you to supply that care. We pack very well so that damage to items in
transit is virtually unknown.
Why do I
have to pay anything at all toward the cost of packing and shipping?
Can I have a combined order shipping discount on several purchases?
Every
item we sell is different in size and shape but all have to be
adequately packed
and sent to arrive safely in a reasonable time. We cannot use one size
fits all pre-formed packets for antique items. Relatively
low
priced antiques and collectibles can cost as much or more to
send than higher value pieces. A fact of life of mail order; an items
weight, size, awkwardness and fragility all add to the
costs
of buying your antique.
Pieces become extra-weighty when double-boxed for added
protection
to withstand the rigors of
international airmail shipping. The slightest increases in parcel
shipping weight adds considerably to the courier/mail charges part of
the total costs of worldwide shipping.
When
sending a number of antique collectibles pieces worldwide it often
works out cheaper to send each one separately so it is not always
possible to offer a combined order shipping discount on multiple
purchases.
We
always consider the most appropriate combination of packing and
shipping for
your antique to arrive safe and secure in a reasonable time.
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| Staffordshire pottery Parson
and Clerk figure group |
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| Thomas
Toft Staffordshire The Mermaid Slip Ware charger |
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| Longton
Hall porcelain vase, scrolls and flowers |
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| Staffordshire
antique pottery Agate Ware teapot |
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| Henry Doulton & Co.
Lambeth, vases Hannah Barlow and George Tinworth |
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| Wedgwood
blue and white Jasper Ware covered vase |
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| Swansea
porcelain Empire style footed coffee can |
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| Liverpool Delft tin-glazed
earthenware Ship Pattern bowl |
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| Staffordshire
Whieldon Ware antique pottery coffee pot |
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| Bristol porcelain Green
Festoons and Gilding, tureen, cover and stand |
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| Pinxton
porcelain rare ice pail and cover |
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| Sevres
porcelain eighteenth century green ground vase |
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| Crown
Derby porcelain Smiths Blue border chocolate cup, cover and saucer |
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| Wrotham
Ware English antique pottery posset pot |
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| Palissy
Ware relief decorated Reptile dish |
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| Lowestoft
porcelain commemorative coffee pot dated 1776 |
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| Chamberlains
Worcester Queen Charlotte pattern cabinet plate |
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| Plymouth
porcelain white glazed shell pickle dish |
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| English
antique pottery Sgraffito earthenware harvest jug |
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| Transferware
decorated yellow ground Dr Wall Worcester hexagonal vase |
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Bow porcelain Chinese style
Blanc de Chine soup tureen
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| Chelsea
porcelain Goat and Bee cream jug |
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| Victorian Copeland Parian Ware figure |
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IMAGES FOR ITEM DESCRIPTION DETAILS AND
PRICE
