THE AUCTIONEERS LOT Our resident expert is Benjamin Terence Green a licensed auctioneer and valuer with over 30 years experience. Ben currently holds regular Friday auctions at Hammers Auction House Chloraka in Paphos.
REPLY Dear Julie, The charming jug is as the back stamp says manufactured by Copeland as part of their Spode range. It is a range entitled Blue Italian. Spode is a Stoke on Trent based pottery company that was founded by Josiah Spode (1733-1797) In 1770 Josiah Spode earned renown for perfecting under-glaze blue transfer printing in 1783-1784 – a development that led to the launch in 1816 of Spode’s Blue Italian range which has remained in production ever since. Spode was succeeded in the same business in 1833 by Copeland and Garrett, who often used the name Spode in their marks. On 23 April 2009 Portmeirion Pottery purchased their rival Royal Worcester and Spode brands, together with some of the stock, after they had been placed into administration the previous November. The back stamp was used in this format between 1833 right up to the early 1970s. Often Spode collectors enjoy the detective work of dating their individual pieces. Given the long use of the stamp it can be quite a challenge on occasions. However this charming piece I would certainly place in the mid 1960’s. If it is in as good condition as you say I would estimate 45 – 55 Euros at auction. Insurance value 80 Euros
REPLY Dear Bill, I would like to think that this offer was made in genuine ignorance by the party concerned. Then again I would like to think everyone was honest and as we all know sadly, this is not always the case. Let us start at the very beginning; I am a firm believer in the song when it says that is the very best place to start. This is a table no need to be an expert there. The design of this table however is known as a GATELEG table. A gate leg table is a type of table first introduced in England in the 16th century. The table top has a fixed section and one or two hinged leaves, which, when not in use, fold down below the fixed section to hang vertically. As such, a gate leg table is part of the table type known as a drop leave. The hinged section, or flap, was supported on pivoted legs joined at the top and bottom by wood known as stretchers constituting a gate. Large flaps had two supports, which had the advantage of providing freer leg space in the centre. The earliest gate leg tables of the 16th and 17th century were typically made of oak, Your table is a George II walnut oval gate leg table. The table is English and dates c1730 – 40. Auction value in this market? I would suggest a fixed reserve of 6550 Euros. Should you sell it for 20 Euros I leave you to be the judge of that!
I will once again suggest to anyone thinking of disposing of items from whole house contents to single pieces to contact Hammer’s auction room on 99931123 and arrange a free verbal valuation before you sell that 3 piece suite or give away the family silver!
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