Designer Desire: Marianne Starck

Selection of Marianne Starck ceramic designs

Marianne Starck (1938-2007) was a German-born ceramic designer best known for her work for Michael Andersen & Son (MA&S) which was located in Rønne on the island of Bornholm, Denmark. She was the the company’s art director from 1955 to 1993 at which point the business was sold to Solveig Ussing who had worked for the company since the age of fourteen.

Starck served her apprenticeship at Thoms Keramik in Brunsbüttel, Germany, and later studied graphic design in Germany at Landeskunstschule (University of Fine Arts, Hamburg).

She had many different styles during her long and productive career. My favourites are her designs with folk art type figures and the black & white (and sometimes red) Tribal range which she designed in the 1950s.

You can find many examples of her designs available for sale on eBay and Etsy.

Image credits:
1st Dibs | Lot Art

Auction alert: Three Day Auction of Collectables and Antiques

Boxed Wedgwood The Jasper ware tea pot collection

The Potteries Auctions Ltd‘s Three Day Auction of Collectables and Antiques takes place on Thursday 10th – Saturday 12th November 2022 from 10am each day.

There are 1971 lots for sale in total; huge numbers of Bunnykins figures and serveware, Beswick animals and Royal Doulton figures. These are perhaps a little bit ‘knick-knacky’ for most people, but there are some quite rare examples if it’s your thing.

We’ve picked out a few mid-century and Deco items that appealed to us to share below. As you’ll see, I’m quite partial to the odd bit of Jasperware.

UK charges are as follows:
Small box up to 2kg inclusive of VAT and Packing £18.00
Medium box 2kg to 10kg inclusive of VAT and Packing £35.00
Insurance can be provided at a cost of 5% of the goods value. Items will NOT be covered for loss or damage without insurance. ***THIS MUST BE REQUESTED***
For international Shipments please contact us for a postage cost.

Bid online via EasyLiveAuction, Live Auctioneers or The Saleroom. Don’t forget that you will be charged extra fees for using these services, so please check each website for details of these added costs.

Beswick model of a pig by Colin Melbourne
Lot 177: Beswick model of a pig
By Colin Melbourne 1473 in two tone pink colourway. Tip of one Ear re-stuck.
Estimate: £40 – £80

Royal Copenhagen mid century Faience wall plaque by Berte Koele

Lot 690: Royal Copenhagen mid century Faience wall plaque
By Berte Koele, 24 x 24cm.
Estimate: £30 – £60

Shelley Red Blocks Mode part coffee set

Lot 841: Shelley Red Blocks Mode part coffee set
11786 c1930, comprising 4 cups & saucers, side plates, sugar and cream and plate, some paint loss to black rim on 2 cups, 2 saucers, one side plate and damage to base of one cup. (17)
Estimate: £100 – £200

Susie Cooper Persia tea ware

Lot 929: Susie Cooper Persia tea ware
To include – 6 coffee trios, cream jug, sugar bowl, 6 tea cups, milk jug, sugar bowl and cake plate. In unused condition.
Estimate: £40 – £80

Pair of Wedgwood Moonstone lady bookends

Lot 1058: Pair of Wedgwood Moonstone lady bookends
One in a cream glaze and the other in a crackled glaze, h.17cm. Head re-stuck to one and 5cm hairline crack to the other. (2)
Estimate: £30 – £60

Wedgwood Norman Wilson ribbed tea cup & saucer

Lot 1101: Wedgwood Norman Wilson ribbed tea cup & saucer
Yellow / blue glaze, dated 1960.
Estimate: £130 – £260

Wedgwood Garden Implements mug by Eric Ravilious

Lot 1151: Wedgwood Garden Implements mug
By Eric Ravilious.
Estimate: £150 – £300

Boxed Wedgwood The Jasper ware tea pot collection

Lot 1152: Boxed Wedgwood The Jasper ware tea pot collection
Multicoloured teapots including – The Garland, The Icarus, The Georgian, The Ulysses, The Egyptian & The Dancing Hours, all limited edition, boxed with certificate. (6)
Estimate: £500 – £1,000

A Wedgwood Norman Wilson bust of the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti

Lot 1159: A Wedgwood Norman Wilson bust of the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti
In a rare brown/grey matt glaze. None of these items were ever sold to the public.
Estimate: £500 – £1,000

A prestige Wedgwood Jasper ware honey jar and cover

Lot 1160: A prestige Wedgwood Jasper ware honey jar and cover
Decorated with bees (with drizzler) height 14cm.
Estimate: £150 – £300

Royal Doulton cut lead crystal chess set

Lot 1552: Royal Doulton cut lead crystal chess set
32 pieces, height of king, 12cm.
Estimate: £150 – £300

Designer Desire: Hugo Kohler

Montage of Hugo Kohler ceramics

We bought a large vintage plate last week. We were in two minds as to whether we should pick it up or not. It was mainly brown and slipware decorated with a couple getting married; it had a very folk art feel.

We got it home and, after studying it with a magnifying glass, we managed to decipher the marks on the back. It was crudely incised with kohler biel keramik handarbeit. We looked online and discovered that it was made by Swiss ceramicist, Hugo Kohler.

We found lots and lots of other pieces by him for sale on eBay and Etsy, amongst other places, but couldn’t find out anything about Hugo Kohler himself. Can you help?

Image credits:
eBay | Etsy

Auction alert: Autumn Fine Art Sales

DAME LUCIE RIE - PORCELAIN FOOTED BOWL

Coming up soon are Lawrences Auctioneers in Crewkerne’s Autumn Fine Art Sales, October 2022. There are a total of 1,408 lots being sold over four days, so we’re concentrating on day two which is Pictures, 19th/20th Century Design & Ceramics. It takes place on Wednesday 12th October 2022 from 10am.

As usual, we’ve selected a handful of items that stood out to us; fine art paintings, studio pottery, vintage furniture. Two lots, in particular, we chose because of their importance in the social history of the UK.

First, is a very nondescript looking teacup & saucer. They’re marked with the logo of the British Antarctic Expedition, Terra Nova. This was an ill-fated trip led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, an attempt be the first to ever reach the geographic South Pole. A group from Norway beat them to their destination by over a month. All 5 men on the British team died on the return leg of the journey.

Second, is a blue & white transfer printed teapot. It’s decorated with anti-slavery text. On two sides is printed, ‘Ladies I hope you will make free and tell me how you like your tea’. On the inside you’ll find the maxim, ‘Health to the sick, Honour to the brave, Success to the lover, and Freedom to the slave’. A very forthright message to be subtly shared by a 19th century society hostess with her lady friends who are visiting for tea and sandwiches.

BERNARD BUFFET - 'IRONS'

Lot 465: BERNARD BUFFET (1928-1999). IRONS (Sorlier 13)
Colour lithograph, 1955, signed and numbered 276/300 
48 x 69.5cm approx.
Condition: A few faint grazes within image; some handling creases; needs a light clean.
Estimate: £200 – £300

JOHN BROMFIELD 'BROM' GAY-REES - 'STILL LIFE WITH WINE BOTTLE, FRUIT AND A BOOK'

Lot 502: JOHN BROMFIELD ‘BROM’ GAY-REES (1912-1965). STILL LIFE WITH WINE BOTTLE, FRUIT AND A BOOK
Signed and dated 15.X.53, oil on canvas board . 34.5 x 45cm. 
Provenance: The family of the artist
Condition: Good condition.
Estimate: £300 – £500

PETER BROOK 'PENNINE VALLEY OF WHITE FARMS'

Lot 562: PETER BROOK (1927-2009) – ‘PENNINE VALLEY OF WHITE FARMS’
Signed, inscribed with title, oil on canvas 
30 x 38cm. 
Provenance: London, Thos. Agnew & Sons Ltd (stock 43684).
Condition: A few small spattered marks.
Estimate: £12,000 – £18,000

SIR KYFFIN WILIAMS, OBE, RA - 'PEN Y BRYN'

Lot 571: SIR KYFFIN WILIAMS, OBE, RA (1918-2006) – ‘PEN Y BRYN’
Signed with initials, inscribed with title in ballpoint pen on the overlap, oil on canvas, hand painted frame 
50 x 60cm.
Condition: Needs a very light clean.
Estimate: £16,000 – £20,000

ARKANA - RETRO 'MUSHROOM' CHAIRS & MATCHING TABLE

Lot 650: ARKANA – RETRO ‘MUSHROOM’ CHAIRS & MATCHING TABLE
A pair of ‘Mushroom’ shaped black chairs designed by Maurice Burke, with conical shaped bases and orange cushions. Also with a matching conical shaped table. Chairs stamped ‘Arkana, Bath, GB, Des Reg No 937057 & 937288, Process Pat Pending. Chairs 77cms high, Table 53cms high, 45cms diameter.
Condition: Age related wear as you would expect over time.
Estimate: £100 – £150

ARTS & CRAFTS ORKNEY CHAIR

Lot 652: ARTS & CRAFTS ORKNEY CHAIR
An antique stained pine chair with a curved woven back, the chair with scroll arms and a drop in woven and wooden seat. 107cms high, top of the chair 62cms across.
Condition: The rush seat is a little worn and needs a little work, otherwise in pretty good condition for its age.
Estimate: £200 – £300

DAME LUCIE RIE - PORCELAIN FOOTED BOWL

Lot 662: DAME LUCIE RIE (AUSTRIAN/BRITISH 1902-1995) – PORCELAIN FOOTED BOWL
A porcelain footed bowl with a turquoise glaze and manganese drip effect rim, with a straight foot and unglazed footrim. Seal mark to the base, Diameter 13.5cms, 10.5cms high. 
*Artist Resale Rights applies to this lot.
Condition: Condition is good, rings nicely and no noticeable chips or damages. There is a couple of letters on the base, I think from a security pen in case of theft.
Estimate: £5,000 – £7,000

ALAN WALLWORK - LARGE STUDIO POTTERY VASE

Lot 658: ALAN WALLWORK (BRITISH 1931-2019) – LARGE STUDIO POTTERY VASE
A large ‘Pebble’ vase with curved sides and small aperture to the top section. Incised mark to the base ‘AW’, and with original paper label ‘Alan Wallwork Ceramics, Tel Lyme Regis 2756’. 30cms high 
*This lot qualifies for Artists Resale Rights.
Condition:Generally seems fine, small firing crack to the inside and base of the vase from manufacture.
Estimate: £400 – £600

PETER LAYTON (B 1937) - LARGE CONTEMPORARY GLASS VASE, 2006

Lot 737: PETER LAYTON (B 1937) – LARGE CONTEMPORARY GLASS VASE, 2006
A large heart shaped glass vase with small aperture, the ruby red glass with stripes of blue and yellow. Etched mark, ‘Peter Layton, 2006’. 25cms high, 28cms across 
*Artists Resale Rights applies to this lot.
Condition: Generally good, the odd minor scratch and some wear to the base.
Estimate: £200 – £300

19thC BLUE & WHITE TRANSFER PRINTED TEA KETTLE - ANTI-SLAVERY

Lot 797: 19THC BLUE & WHITE TRANSFER PRINTED TEA KETTLE – ANTI SLAVERY
An interesting large blue and tea kettle, with a verse on each side ‘Ladies I hope you will make free and tell me how you like your tea’, and with a motto inside ‘Health to the sick, Honour to the brave, Success to the lover, and Freedom to the slave’. With a transfer printed design with animals and figures within a landscape scene, the lid with the initials ‘W H’ on the inside, possibly for William Hackwood. 27cms high.
Condition: Lid, small area to the rim repaired, small chip to underneath the finial. Tea kettle, area of restoration at the base of the spout as it joins the body, this restoration is more visible inside right around the hole. Firing crack on the inside of the spout visible inside.
Estimate: £100 – £200

BRITISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION 'TERRA NOVA' - CUP & SAUCER BY DUNN BENNETT & CO.

Lot 800: BRITISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION ‘TERRA NOVA’ – CUP & SAUCER BY DUNN BENNETT & CO.
A rare matching earthenware cup and saucer, made for the wardroom of the Terra Nova. Both with a crest marked ‘British Antarctic Expedition, Terra Nova’ and with a penguin standing on a rock, and with a blue border around the rim. Printed mark to the base, ‘Real Ironstone China, Dunn Bennett & Co, Burslem, England’. Saucer 14cms diameter.
Condition: Saucer, star crack to the base and crazing to the centre. Cup, 3 hairline cracks running from the rim downwards, general crazing.
Estimate: £400 – £600