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In 2005 Dennis Chinawork’s ‘March of the Penguins’ made a staggering hammer price of £13,100 at Bonham’s Design Sale in London. This world-record price was an astonishing achievement for a contemporary British potter, and so, it is hoped, that once again the talents and exquisite workmanship of Sally Tuffin and her team will be reflected in the prices achieved at this year’s Bonham’s sale to be held on 6th December.

Each year much work and dedication is put in by the pottery for this annual sale, right from the initial design beginnings to the final painting, and Sally and her team have always risen to the occasion by creating stunning must-have works of art. This December, going under the hammer is yet another collection of pots that is sure to draw breath from Dennis Chinaworks collectors as once again the pottery has surpassed itself.

Along with trials and prototypes there will be a number of innovative one-off pieces that include The “Klimt” vase. This piece has been executed with tremendous skill and tribulation as it has been adapted from the two dimensional design to three dimensional, and with Klimt inspired pieces selling well this vase is sure to get the frenzied bidding it deserves.

Another exciting lot is “The Owls,” a trademark image for Dennis Chinaworks Sally explained how the modeller Alan Pepper has used this image in his box creation by cleverly expressing the wit of the title – hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Alan was the modeller of last year’s star lot “March of the Penguins” so if this precedent is anything to go by I am sure “The Owls” will also capture the hearts of collectors.

In last year’s sale four one-off jars and covers proved exceptionally popular and averaged £1,260 to £2,640 in price each – so this year’s addition “Snowflake” is sure to excite collectors and hopefully make the same price bracket, if not more than those previously sold.

Although all the exclusive pieces are design innovations, there is one that is without doubt a dead-cert for Star Lot status. “Butterfly Forest” is an intricate piece of craftsmanship and Sally explained that the vase is a play on the leaves metamorphosising into the butterflies within the geometric perspective of the forest. The audacity of its fragility is then counter balanced by its own carrying box.

Mark Oliver, the auctioneer and Director of Design at Bonhams told me that he is looking forward to stepping up to the rostrum to see how this year’s entries do and cannot wait to see the ‘Butterfly Forest’ vase draw gasps of admiration from collectors as they take in the sheer design genius, as it is indeed a truly stunning piece of work.

When I asked why he thought collectors were so keen to secure creations by Dennis Chinaworks he explained that “Collectors look at Sally’s works because everything from the design concept, to the modelling and the painting is first rate and of the highest quality. Especially when it comes to creating the one-off pieces for Bonhams as the team really pull all their talents together in order to come up with the most amazing creations.”

Mark also explained that this is why Sally Tuffin has actually managed to do the unimaginable for a modern contemporary artist. Both her Honey Bee Jar and Cover, which sold in 2001 for a staggering £11,500, and The March of the Penguins vase have realised more money than any other even key works by the likes of Royal Doulton, Clarice Cliff and Moorcroft. Sally Tuffin has become a giant of the pottery world, enabling her to rightfully secure herself a place as one of the most prolific and talented designers of our time.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The illustrated catalogue will be £15 (£17 with postage)
Viewing is on 1st December from 12pm until 4.30pm, 3rd December from 11am to 3pm and 4th/5th December from 9am until 4pm at Bonhams, New Bond Street, W1.

For more details visit Bonhams.com