We visited the client in a Somerset cottage who wanted to downsize and move near to her family. Amazingly, this pottery charger, which dates to 1540, was mounted in a coat hanger wire frame and hung on a wall behind the kitchen door. Having removed the charger from the wall, it was taken back to our salerooms where research started to properly identify the charger. After several months of research, the charger was entered into an auction dedicated to it, such was the importance of this one lot.

Viewing for this Italian charger, which tells the story of King Herod and Salome, was by appointment only, with many dealers, academics and collectors making the journey to our salerooms. On the auction day, there was not much standing room and even our Town Mayor made an appearance. The hammer finally fell at £460,000 to a Bond Street dealer bidding on the telephone.

All of our auctions use live internet bidding platforms to ensure that every lot, whether it is worth £20 or £500,000, reaches the widest possible market and sells for the best price possible. In the run up to an auction we receive 100’s of emails requesting further information for lots in the sale. Attached to these email replies, we regularly send well over 1,000 digital images, such is the huge interest generated in our auctions.

For further information regarding European Ceramics, or any other special items you wish us to value or auction, please contact Richard Bromell, Director rb@charterhouse-auction.com

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