A.W.N Pugin, John Moyr-Smith, William De Morgan, The Martin Brothers, Doulton, Charles Vyse, Wedgwood Fairyland, Moorcroft, Goldschneider, Pilkington Royal Lancastrian, Bernard Moore and Elton

One of the UK’s leading independent publishers of art books, Richard Dennis O.B.E will sell part of his private collection of ceramics at Bonhams in New Bond Street on Wednesday 12 March 2008. Dennis’ magnificent collection encompasses pottery by established and emerging designers from the Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods through to the modern day.

Richard Dennis championed artists from these periods for many years and the sale of his collection celebrates more than four decades of Richard Dennis’s presence in his Kensington Church Street Gallery, which was also the base for his company Richard Dennis Publications.

Mark Oliver, Director of Design at Bonhams, says, “Richard Dennis has always been regarded by collectors and dealers alike as a true pioneer in the field of Art Pottery. Without his enthusiasm and considerable knowledge, such names as Doulton, Moorcroft, William De Morgan and Martin Ware would never have gained the modern day exposure and collectability that they now enjoy. The exhibitions that have taken place in his Galleries in London’s Kensington Church St have always been ‘must see’ events and would often sell out within the first few days.”

The Collection encompasses a wide range of artist pieces that Richard has helped Bonhams to showcase including: AWN Pugin, John Moyr-Smith, William De Morgan, The Martin Brothers, Doulton, Clarice Cliff, Charles Vyse, Wedgwood Fairyland, Moorcroft, Goldschneider, Pilkington Royal Lancastrian, Bernard Moore and Elton.

Highlights include:

George Tinworth for Doulton Lambeth An Important (Lost) Stoneware Figural Fountain for the 1878 Paris Exposition

£20,000-30,000

William De Morgan and A.Farini for Cantagalli

An Impressive Galleon Charger, 1901

£15,000-20,000

William S. Mycock and Walter Crane for Pilkington Royal Lancastrian

A Yellow Lustre Vase, 1909

£5,000-7,000

Martin Brothers

‘Sgrafitto’ A Framed Terracotta Portrait Plaque of Edwin Martin by Robert Wallace Martin, circa 1880

£5,000-6,000

Charles Vyse

‘Barnet Fair’A Painted Earthenware Study, circa 1935

£5,000-7,000

Richard Dennis has also continued to showcase the work of modern-day potters such as David Burnham Smith, Amanda Popham, Roger Cockram and Emma Bridgewater, all of whom are contributing one-off examples of their work to the Bonhams sale. Hence collectors will be able to admire a range of ceramic wares from Pugin in the 1860’s right up to pieces produced in 2007 in this amazing sale, the first to ever celebrate the career of Richard Dennis O.B.E.

Highlights include:

Sally Tuffin

‘Inspired by George Tinworth’, a Spectacular Lidded Centrepiece, Fashioned as a Fountain, 2008

£4,000-5,000

David Burnham Smith

‘Our Friend Tom’ A Painted Porcelain Fantasy Bird, 2007

£2,000-3,000

Roger Cockram

‘Rising Salmon’ A Large Stoneware Bowl, 2007

£1,000-1,500

Amanda Popham

“This is the morning to take the air” a Tall Figural Vessel, 2007

£500-700

For more details visit the Bonhams web site.