A Love of Lustre – The Anthony J. Cross Collection By Adrian Rathbone, Associate Director, Kinghams Auctioneers, 10-12 Cotswold Business Village, London Rd, Moreton in Marsh. GL56 0JQ. 24th May 2021

Fresh from our good friends at Kinghams:

Cotswold Auctioneers, Kinghams are proud to announce they have been appointed to handle the most comprehensive and important collection of British art pottery built up over a fifty-year period. The sale of The Anthony J. Cross Collection of art pottery takes place on 11th/12th June at their Moreton in Marsh Auction Centre.
Anthony’s fascination with ceramics began at a young age when his first purchase was a small Royal Worcester floral jug for £12.50. This modest purchase and after reading up on the subject, set him on a lifelong journey of collecting ceramics. From the outset he fell in love with the wondrous lustre wares of Pilkingtons. He widened the spectrum by learning about and acquiring examples of other notable makers such as Christopher Dresser, William De Morgan, Doulton and Bernard Moore. Encouraged by the eminent authority Richard Dennis OBE, Anthony made the decision that his collection would not be complete without key examples by the most revered and celebrated designers/potters.
The 468 Lot auction showcases a rich and eclectic range of late 19th and early 20th Century British art pottery which will be auctioned over two days.
Day one, (11th June) will open with examples of designs by Dr Christopher Dresser for Minton, Linthorpe and Ault, followed by tiles and hollowares by Della Robia and William De Morgan. Ruskin pottery and Bernard Moore wares are followed by an array of examples from the Doulton factory including works by noted designers the Barlow sisters, Charles Noke and George Tinworth to name a few.
Examples by the highly sought-after Martin Brothers factory come in the form of a number of jardinieres, typical bird and other sculptural figures. Moorcroft from the Art Nouveau heyday to later and rare flambe pieces are also well represented.
Day two, (12th June) will offer impressive glasswares by designers and glass houses such as Tiffany, Loetz and Rene Lalique.
Pilkington is where Anthony’s true passion lies and it is here where one of the most important collections arrives on the open market, with many museum quality pieces on offer.
The Pilkington factory was established in 1892 in Lancashire and employed many leading designers of the day, including Charles Voysey, Gordon Forsyth, Richard Joyce and William S. Mycock. The celebrated lustre wares were developed from 1906 and King George V granted the factory a Royal Warrant in 1913 with the firm being fashioned Pilkington’s Royal Lancastrian Pottery Company.
On offer are numerous vases of varying shapes and sizes, chargers and tiles with pre-sale estimates ranging from £200 to £20,000. Of particular note is Lot 431, a 30cm high lustre jar and cover by Richard Joce from 1924, (estimate £3,000-5,000) and Lot 434, a lustre alms dish also by Richard Joyce and dating from 1909, (estimate £2,000-4,000).
The most important piece in the auction is Lot 436, a 53cm high Gordon Forsyth lustre vase dating from 1908. Moulded in relief with St George on horseback lancing a dragon with a maiden to the side, the vase incorporates an exuberant bronze and red iridescent glaze and is inscribed ‘St George for England’. With pedigree provenance, it was exhibited at the 1908 Franco British Exhibition to much admiration and only two examples are known to have been produced. It carries a pre-sale estimate of £20,000-30,000.
Viewing will take place on Wednesday 9th June from 10am to 5pm, Thursday 10th June 10am to 7pm and auction days from 9am to 11am with the auction commencing at 11am on each day. The fully illustrated printed catalogue can be purchased (£18 by post) or viewed online at www.kinghamsauctioneers.com. Live internet bidding across four different platforms, absentee and phone bids can be arranged.
For further information, please contact George Kingham on 01608 695695 or email enquiries@kinghamsauctioneers.com

Illustrated from left to right.
Lot 434: Gordon Forsyth Pilkington lustre alms dish.  Est £2,000-4,000
Lot 38: A William De Morgan Persian double swan vase, circa 1892.  Est £3,000-5,000
Lot 436: Gordon Forsyth of Pilkington, an exhibition relief moulded St George vase. Est £20,000-30,000 
Lot 112: George Tinworth for Doulton Lambeth, mouse group –  The Cockneys at Brighton, 1886.  Est £2,000-4,000
Lot 2: Christopher Dresser for Minton, pair of butterfly vases, 1870.  Est £800-1,200

Kind Regards
Adrian Rathbone  BA(Hons) Fine Arts ValuationAssociate Director
Kinghams Auctioneers & Valuers10-12 Cotswold Business VillageLondon RoadMoreton in MarshGloucestershireGL56 0JQ
Saleroom: 01608 695695
Mobile: 07843 061921
www.kinghamsauctioneers.com

Please Note: My working hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm. I am based at the Moreton saleroom usually three days a week and these will vary.