British and Continental Ceramics

Overview

At Catherine Southon, we are proud to have achieved exceptional results for British and Continental ceramics, handling everything from single-item consignments to large private collections. Our quarterly Fine & Decorative Art auctions consistently feature an extensive and diverse selection of ceramics ranging from Medieval to Modern.

High Demand Manufactuerers: English and Continental Porcelain

While the market has softened for everyday and mid-market ceramics, demand remains strong for early and rare English and European porcelain, including:

British Ceramics

• Royal Worcester, partiaurly artist-decorated pieces by celebrated decorators such as Richard Seabright or Harry Stinton
• Wedgwood
• Minton
• Bow porcelain
• Chelsea porcelain
• Pilkington's Lacastrian
• Doulton stoneware
• Belleek

German and Austrian Ceramics

• Meissen
• KPM Berlin
• Rosenthal
• Vienna porcelain
• Goldscheider

French Porcelain

• Sèvres
• Limoges
• Gien
• Pablo Picasso ceramics (Madoura)

Italian Design Porcelain

• Richard Ginori
• Cantagalli
• Bitossi

Dutch Ceramics

• Delft earthenware, including Porceleyne Fles
• Amstel
• Weesp
• Loosdrecht

Scandinavian Ceramics

• Royal Copenhagen
• Iittala
• Bing & Grøndahl

Russian and Hungarian

• Gardner porcelain
• Imperial Porcelain Factory
• Herend
• Zsolnay Pecs

Rising Demand for Studio Pottery

Often considered as the pioneers of British studio pottery, Martin Brothers pottery commands some of the highest prices for ceramics at auction. Their highly distinctive, often satirical figures challenged the conventions of straight-laced Victorian society. In June 2026, we sold an iconic 'Wally Bird' for £4,500 (+BP).

Interest in 20th-century British studio pottery also continues to grow. Works by Dame Lucie Rie, one of the most influential and innovative potters of the period, frequently achieve high prices at auction. Collectors also seek pieces by her contemporaries, including Bernard Leach, David Leach, Hans Coper, John Ward, and Shoji Hamada.