Roseberys’ Fine & Decorative auction on Wednesday 1 October was led by a Minton porcelain Vaisseau à mât, which achieved a record price of £18,368 – more than double its estimate and marking the highest sum ever realised at auction for a Minton Vaisseau à mât vase. 

Lot 167: A Minton porcelain 'Vaisseau â mât' ship vase retailed by John Mortlock & Co. of London
Price Realised: £18,368

 

Previously retailed by John Mortlock & Co. of London, the dish represents the pinnacle of Victorian ceramic craftsmanship. Modelled after the celebrated Sèvres pot pourri en navire, originally created under the patronage of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, Minton’s adaptation was an homage to 18th-century French artistry. By the mid-18th century, Minton had secured access to original Sèvres examples from the collections of Sir Richard Wallace and Queen Victoria, inspiring the creation of this exceptional work.

“The market responded incredibly well to the fine European ceramics, particularly the Minton, which has now set a new house record,” said James Quarterman, Ceramics & Glass Specialist at Roseberys.

Lot 81: An associated pair of ormolu-mounted Chinese Imari porcelain jars and covers, the porcelain 18th...
Price Realised: £18,368

Adding to the sale’s successes were an associated pair of ormolu-mounted Chinese Imari porcelain jars which soared well above their £1,000-£1,500 estimate. Characterised by vivid underglaze blue with red and gilt decoration, Chinese Imari porcelain was first produced in the 18th century as an adaptation of Japanese Imari ware to meet the high demand of the Western export market.

Lot 240: Sangorski, Alberto (calligrapher and illuminator) - Bacon, Francis, Of Gardens an Essay
Price Realised: £17,056

Also performing particularly strongly was a remarkable illuminated manuscript; Francis Bacon, Of Gardens: An Essay, designed, written and illuminated by Sangorski – which sold for £22,304, more than three times its pre-sale estimate. Lavishly decorated with red silk guards, watered silk endpapers, and gilt edges, this manuscript demonstrates the ever enduring allure of fine book arts among collectors. 

Lot 484: A large English giltwood pier mirror, in the manner of Thomas Chippendale, 19th century, the...
Price Realised: £22,304

Furniture highlights included a finely carved large English giltwood pier mirror with pagoda-shaped cresting and sectional plates, which surpassed its £3,000 - £5,000 estimate several times over, emerging as the highest priced lot of the sale.