Sung and Chang catalogues featuring an alchemist figure.

Since the earliest times of Doulton’s art studios in Burslem, we have seen a procession of objects reflecting our continued fascination with alchemy.

A Kingsware Alchemist jug.

A fantastic Sung Alchemist style plaque sold at Bonhams.

Be it the search for the fabled philosopher’s stone, the elixir of life or the ability to turn base metals into gold – the slightest possibility that these may be possible has kept us gripped, as we can trace from literature’s fascination with it too from Shakespeare’s plays right up to J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books.

The Alchemist from the HN Collection.

Another portrayal of an Alchemist on an art nouveau Holbein vase.