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Dennis Chinaworks’ sale at Bonhams on 6th December 2006, was once again a renowned success, proving that Sally Tuffin’s designs are constantly growing in popularity with collectors. Frenzied bidding ensured that each lot sold for far more than expected, but as predicted, it was the stunning, intricate “Butterfly Tree” that stole the show, selling for a staggering hammer price of £11,000.

Auctioneer, Mark Oliver, began the sale with “Datura” a large Estruskan vase which was first released in 2003, estimated at £380-£420 it actually sold over estimate for £500. Next up, was lot 415, “Butterfly”, an ovoid vase released originally in 2002 it was incised and painted with large butterflies with outspread wings and made an impressive £450. However, “African Elephant” more than doubled its estimate selling for £750, as did “Midnight Flight” which realised £450, but without doubt the most astounding price realised for the earlier of Sally’s designs was lot 449 “10th Anniversary”, which sold for an amazing £1,700 as oppose to its estimated £700-£900.

Although collectors are always keen to snap up the earlier works from the pottery it is the innovative one-off’s produced each year for Bonhams that create the most demand. In 2005 we saw the “March of the Penguins” sell for a record price and although this record still stands, prices for each of the pieces have increased with each lot fetching far more than in previous sales thus totally outstripping their estimates.

The first one-off special to come under the hammer was “Dancer (after Klimt), estimated at £1,00-£2,000 it sold for a staggering £4,400, and I am not surprised as the quality workmanship involved with creating this particular piece is second to none. Sally explained to me that “the time and effort that is spent on each vase warrants the prices they achieve, especially with the 3 dimensional Klimt as it took Heidi Warr days to perfect the decoration.” Heidi never makes any seconds as she works hard to ensure that each piece she decorates is perfect, and this is more than evident in the “Dancer” and her other Klimt inspired vase “Embrace” which also sold for an amazing £4,800.

In 2005 the one-off jar lid and covers did exceptionally well selling between £1,260 and £2,640 each. These are amongst my favourite designs up for sale and once again they were extremely popular. “Snowflake Head” made £2,100 hammer price which is not surprising as the maiden’s head amidst snowflakes was not only seasonal but beautifully decorated with silver luster snowflakes. The “Iris Head” in glorious purple luster also realised a fantastic price of £2,000 and only the “Green Woman” went for less selling at £550.

Modeller, Alan Pepper seems to always produce a star piece as like Heidi, he also is a perfectionist when it comes to his creations. The “Owl – See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil” box and cover was a witty piece which he adapted using Owls rather than monkeys and once again was a hit with collectors selling for £2,400.

Another star lot was the unusual foo ted bowl, “Butterfly Cloud”. The exterior of the bowl was painted pale blue, whilst the interior was silver luster then applied with a swarm of various mulit-coloured butterflies. This stunning work of art achieved a well deserved £3,600 hammer price.

Throughout the sale every lot made staggering prices including “Indian Elephant” for £2,800, “Humble Bee” at £1,900 and “China Red Dragonfly” selling for £2,200 but it was as predicted, the “Butterfly Tree” that literally sailed through to its final hammer price of £11,000.

This intricate tube-lined and painted vase was a real breath drawer, applied with a swarm of butterflies in full relief, the vase is a play on the leaves metamorphosising into butterflies within the geometric perspective of the forest. Due to fragility of the piece it was even designed with its own special box. Bidding started on the books, then went to the phones before finally being sold in the room. Once again it was Alan’s models of butterflies that caught collector’s hearts, and Sally explained to me that “at the pottery we like pushing the boundaries and get really excited when producing the specials for Bonhams. With the trial “Butterfly Tree” I bit my tongue and prayed that the butterflies would work. I suggested placing another layer and Alan agreed that it needed more layers so together we played off of each other and created this amazing vase.”

Another surprise was the sale of a small “Willow Leaf” tazza, applied with a modeled bee in the centre of painted red floral and green leaves this piece sold for £1,150, and the “Indian Landscape” small flask and stopper realised £2,300, proving that modeled pieces are extremely popular.

Head of Design and the auctioneer, Mark Oliver told me that “This year’s sale was probably the most successful of all the sales that Bonhams have held containing Sally’s works. The collectors were bowled over by this year’s designs and this was reflected in the bidding on the day. One collector left me bids on every single piece in the sale, all at above estimate. I had to ring him after the sale to tell him that he had been out-bid on nearly all of them! Sally seems to have the rare gift of attracting some very monied collectors who have only just recently come across her work. In an auction scenario, they all start bidding against each other and the prices just go through the roof (I wish we could re-produce this situation in all the auctions we hold!)” He also explained that “these bidders are successsful business people who recognise a good product. They are attracted to the fact that the Bonhams pieces are one-offs, and they know that they only have one chance to acquire them. The star lots this year were the wonderful butterfly designs and the Klimt inspired vases, but every piece made good money and there were no `sleepers’ at all this year!”

The combined talents of all at the Somerset pottery ensure that each year the Bonhams sale is an overriding success, but yet all year round their creations are craved by collectors. In January a new catalogue will be released with another exciting range of pots however, this does not mean that you cannot order from the previous catalogue as these pieces are still for sale, and I highly recommend you purchase some as if the Bonhams sale is anything to go by its not just the special one-offs that are rocketing in price but all the stunning pieces created by this talented contemporary pottery.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information on products, existing catalogue and new catalogue please contact

Dennis Chinaworks Limited
Shepton Beauchamp
Ilminster
Somerset
TA19 0JT

Tel: 01460 240622

www.richarddennispublications.com

For more details visit Bonhams.com