Keep in-the-know regarding Wedgwood-related events and other news-you-can-use. And if you are aware of current activity on the Wedgwood topic that you’d like to share and have posted here, please email wsbbarnett48@gmail.com.
Current Auctions & Results
Strawser Auction Group August Sale Results
The Strawser Auction Group held its Flower Family Majolica Collection sale on August 23rd, Among the 185 lots were 13 Wedgwood majolica ones. Below are a few highlights. The realized prices do not reflect the 23% buyer’s premium. To access all results, visit: https://encherest.strawserauctions.com/auction_info/4937
- Pr King & Queen Wall Match Holders: c1865; 5″ h: $250
- Renaissance Revival Vase by Hughs Protat: c1861; 14″ h: $1800
- Tortoise Butter Dish: c1875; 7 1/2″ h: $4250
“All The Variety and Perfection”: Rubins Part II Wedgwood Auction Highlights
Early, modern, rare, and unusual objects were offered for sale at the second round of auctions on the Suzanne & Ellis Rubin Wedgwood collection. Freeman’s Auction of Philadelphia presented 148 lots on July 12, 2023, and once again spanned the history of Wedgwood production from the 18th to the 21st centuries. And as is often the case the prices realized ranged from well above estimate to passed.
Below are some highlights and the prices shown include the 26% buyer’s premium.
-Encaustic Basalt Bell Krater Wine Cooler: c1790, 12” h: $10,080
-Light Blue Jasper Borghese Vase: early 19th c, 19” h: $7560
-Pair Encaustic Rosso Antico Vases:1860s, 12” h: $12,600
-Majolica Condiment Set: c1870, 6 ¾” dia.: $5365
-Harry Barnard Vases: late 19th c,15” h: $945
-Fairyland Lustre “Ghostly Wood” Vase:c1925,11 ¼” h: $15,120
-Fairyland Lustre Brooch: c1920, 2 1/8” dia.: $630
-Basalt Roundel of Josiah Wedgwood: 2000s,17 3/8” dia.: $1890
To view the entire auction results visit: https://www.freemansauction.com/auction/1776-all-the-variety-and-perfection-the-wedgwood-collection-of-dr-ellis-f-rubin-suzanne-borow-rubin/?au=5690&g=1
April Bonhams-Skinner Sale Highlights
Skinner held a live auction at its Marlborough, MA, headquarters on April 19th, with 141 lots of Wedgwood. Prices realized were modest for the most part, but what stood out was the aggressive bidding on modern Egyptian ware. Below are a few highlights; prices include the 27.5% buyers premium.
- Basalt Bust, Marcus Aurelius: late 18th C; 16”h: $3,188
- Pearlware Chestnut Bowl & Underplate: early 19th C; 10” dia.: $1020
- Rossi Antico Egyptian Jug: c1880; 8”h: $510
- Creamware cobalt glaze Figural Vase: c1871; 8 1/4”h: $64
- Pr Framed Creamware Chargers by JP Hewitt: c1883;22”sq.: $408
- Fairyland Lustre Melba Cup: c1920; 3”h: $510
- Pr Cane Jasper Bough Pots: 1998; 9 1/2”h: $574
- Pr Gilded Basalt Canopic Jars: 1987; 9 1/2” h: $5,738
- Guilded Basalt Egyptian Plate: 1978; 8 3/4” dia.: $701
For results on all Wedgwood lots visit: http://For results on all Wedgwood lots visit: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/28571/collectors-choice-wedgwood-and-silver-bonhams-skinner/?fbclid=IwAR16Pz_sTwUSIbQu0Z37V7ww-Z2__fdc7_UcoXK9CUwUVAAeTne9nV0zavE&query=wedgwood
Wedgwood Collection of Betty Issod Auction Part II Highlights
The sale of the second part of Betty Issod’s collection took place at Lion and Unicorn in Florida on April 16th and included 70 Wedgwood lots of which 28 were Fairyland Lustre. Prices recognized for the lustre wares were even more aggressive than part I, with two rare plaques being the highlight. Conversely categories such as dark blue dip bas-relief ware closed at rock bottom prices.
Below are some highlights. Note that the prices do not include the 25% buyer’s premium, taxes and other fees.
- Fairyland Flame Vase: c1920; 10 1/2” h: $3,400
- Fairyland Plaque, Picnic by the River: c1920; 8” x 14”: $9,750
- Fairyland Daventry Bowl, White Pagoda: c1920; 10” dia.: $4,600
- Pearlware Cake Stand: 19th c; 9 1/4” dia.: $30
To view the results of the entire sale, visit the website at https://www.LiveAuctioneers.com/
Upcoming Exhibitions & Reviews
Wedgwood Jonny Briggs Exhibition
The V&A Wedgwood Collection in Barlaston, England, has launched a special exhibit of new work by Jonny Briggs. During his research, Jonny connected with the black and white stripes of Wedgwood’s engine turned products and the use of ceramics to achieve social change.
The works will be on display from Wednesday, June 7 – Sunday, September 24. For more information, visit: www.worldofwedgwood.com.
Antiques Shows
– Antiques at the Academy: August 26; Founders Gym, Osterville, MA
– Maine Antiques & Exposition: September 23 & 24; Exposition Building, Portland, ME
– Needham Antiques Show: November 12; High School, Needham, MA
– Greater Boston Antiques Show: December 2 & 3; Shriner’s Auditorium, Wilmington, MA
Brimfield Flea Market:
Collectors in the general New England area are likely familiar with the Brimfield Flea Market. The massive event takes place over a 6-day stretch every May, July, and September, with about 2000 dealers offering everything imaginable to an estimated 50,000 attendees flooding Brimfield, Massachusetts. There was Wedgwood spotted but not much of the higher-end range. Nonetheless, a worthwhile adventure. Visit the website at: http://brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com/
Current Publications
Wedgwood: Craft & Design
Looking back at key moments in Wedgwood’s design history, this book, written by Catrin Jones, curator of the V&A Wedgwood Collection, celebrates the manufacturer’s visual power and great design from its founding in 1759 to the present day. It highlights the internationally renowned V&A Wedgwood Collection containing around 80,000 objects. Published by Thames & Hudson, it will be available May 2023 via most book sources: $19.95
Beyond Wedgwood Blue
The Ruthmere Museum in Indiana held an exhibition, “Beyond Wedgwood Blue”. Now available is a catalogue that features highlights of the exhibit and the history of Wedgwood. Visit: http://ruthmere.wildapricot.org/Exhibit-Catalogues
Newsworthy Bits & Bytes
The loss of a Wedgwood legend
The Wedgwood Society of Boston is saddened to learn of the death of member Suzanne Borow Rubin on May 24, 2023. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her husband Ellis and family. We will miss her, dearly. You can read the full obituary here.
Remembering a friend: Dorothy-Lee Jones Ward
We are most saddened to learn of the death of Dorothy-Lee Jones Ward (January 11, 1927 – August 4, 2022), of Sebago Lake, Maine, and Wellesley, Mass. A WSB past president as well as that of WIS, she was a most gracious lady and Wedgwood legend, serving as mentor to many of us. Her love and expertise was also in the field of glass, as an antiques dealer, and later the founder of the Jones Museum of Glass and Ceramics in Maine. You may find the complete obituary here. A memorial service will be held at Doherty’s Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., Wellesley, Mass., on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 1 pm.
Members’ Choices
Submitted by Peggy Kerner
I love this piece in my collection because it is so unusual. It is called a “Bouquetière” which is a fancy word from the French for flower pot. They are usually oval or round in shape, have a pierced lid to hold flower stems or branches, and were made in the late 18th to early 19th century. Mine is made of white terracotta biscuit covered with matte black slip and glazed inside to prevent staining. It is 8 1/2 inches high and 11 inches wide and dates to 1785. It was originally in the Oxborrow collection, and a similar example is in the Beeson Collection at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
Submitted by Ron Frazier
Spotted by my son Forrest many years ago and knowing it was Wedgwood, he scooped the piece up. This Imari (Japanese) style 9” Vase is in a Pearl Ware body and has a production date-code of 1886. Imari style is based largely on two colors, a dark underglaze blue and a dark red, and is a crowded design. Along with other patterns of stylized floral shapes, the Imari range became popular in England during the early 19th Century and appears in various renditions (usually described as Japan Patterns) on Wedgwood’s Queen’s Ware, bone china, and whiteware, as well as pearlware. Japanese designs became popular after the international exhibitions in London in 1862 and Paris in 1889.