THE LAST QUARTER CENTURY: A CERAMIC RÉSUMÉ Looking at this in figures, the export of ‘antiques’ has and later President of the English Porcelain Circle, dramatically increased over the last 25 years, and Kiddell had knowledge of the many great collections although we are importing ‘antiques’ too, it is interesting formed in the inter-war years that were finally sold by Anton Gabszewicz to see that new markets are constantly being explored; through Sotheby’s in their sales in the 60s and 70s. Independent ceramic consultant, lecturer and historian for example, we are now exporting dramatically more However, after Kiddell’s death in 1980, the picture objects to Russia and the Far East. In this global econo- changed as both Christie’s and Phillips gained a larger my, we have of course become less insular in our share of the market and there was fierce competition approach to the whole subject; air travel especially is between the houses and, of course, the trade. now considerably less expensive and more available. Many years before The International Ceramics Fair and Museums have embraced modern technology and no Seminar (ICFS) had become a feature of the season, I longer have a reputation for preserving in aspic, as it clearly recall a dealer saying to me that he considered were, the objects in their care; they have become in the profession finished. He suffered from a malaise that every sense more accessible. Porcelain Societies for the hits us all occasionally; as things inevitably change we promotion of the understanding of ceramics have flour- don’t like it and naturally we try to resist. In the antiques ished and have an ever-increasing and knowledgeable trade this change has been dramatic and although it is membership.1 Specialist dealers arrange selling exhibi- tempting to be dismissive of the modern way of con- tions frequently with a theme to encourage new collec- ducting business, to be churlish about the benefits of tors into the field. Mrs Anne George, when in charge of global communication and advances in technology, these Albert Amor Ltd. during the 1980s, produced a spectac- Figure 1 can be the very tools that enrich our business and take Brian & Anna Haughton ular series of exhibition catalogues of private collections dealing and collecting into the 21st century. of Worcester Porcelain. Since 1981 Jonathan Horne has The International Ceramics Fair & Seminar has been a disciplines on show. The first fair offered a varied pro- had an annual exhibition entitled ‘A Collection of Early mirror of this change and has embraced the concept of gramme of eighteen lectures, of which several were pub- English Pottery’; Garry Atkins also held annually ‘An sharing academe and commerce in a way that is both lished in the handbook the following year. Exhibition of English Pottery’ since 1991; Mercury Antiques educative and inspiring. It is a meeting point for dealers, In the early 1980s the market in antiques was rapidly have had an annual exhibition of ‘Recent Acquisitions’ museum curators, auction house specialists and collec- expanding and reaching a broader clientele; this was since 1981 and Simon Spero of ‘Early English Porcelain’ tors; it provides a uniquely friendly atmosphere in which fuelled by the media and press. The BBC programme since 1988. During this century, we have also had exhi- to exchange views and current scholarship. ‘Going for a Song’ had been popular for many years and bitions presented by Brian Haughton Antiques, Klaber & In 1982, Brian and Anna Haughton formulated the this was followed by ‘The Antiques Roadshow’ in the Klaber, Robyn Robb and Stockspring Antiques. All these idea with Len and Yvonne Adams of launching the Fair in 1970s and more recently by other programmes that have brought the knowledge and expertise of the June. Business generally at this time was slow and the have brought the world of antiques and ‘collectibles’ to exhibitor to the fore and, together with improved print- idea of putting together a fair that concentrated on one the attention of a wider public. Magazines such as ‘The ing and photography, have undoubtedly stimulated the area of the business was innovative and exciting; it cer- Antique Dealers’ & Collectors’ Guide’, ‘The Antique Collector’ market for these objects. It is no longer enough to pres- tainly caught the mood of the moment. The idea of invit- and more specifically the short-lived magazine ‘Ceramics’ ent your wares to the world. Collectors require person- ing leading international dealers in the fields of European have had a broad readership among ceramic collectors. al attention, interest and a sound knowledge of the sub- and Asian ceramics and glass and balancing this with a Since then price guides on every conceivable subject ject to attract them to buy. Figure 2 supporting series of lectures was indeed inspired and have been published, pioneered in the 1970s by ‘The In this finely balanced market place, we have the rela- The Couper Goblet decorated with the arms of Couper impaling met with wide approval. A further encouragement was Antique Collectors’ Club’. The enormous improvement tionship between the dealers and the auction houses. Gray by William Beilby, c. 1765 the lack of a dateline as the organisers felt, quite rightly, in photography and printing has had a dramatic improve- The number of specialist ceramic dealers and the num- Height: 8½ in. (21.5 cm) From The Cinzano Glass Collection, Exhibited 1983 that later and contemporary works had just as impor- ment on the quality of specialist ceramic works, exhibi- ber of specialist ceramic sales has markedly declined tant a part to play in our ceramic heritage as the tion catalogues and auction catalogues, all of which since the early 1980s. A decade earlier, Sotheby’s had the antique. Here it was possible to see the earliest Chinese brought the subject to a wider public. Yet, nothing has expertise of A.J.B. (Jim) Kiddell who had gathered a For example, in 1982 Christie’s held 9 large sales dur- pottery rubbing shoulders with ceramics fired in the kiln been so marked as the advent of computer technology strong following due to his great personal charm and ing the year turning over about £1.5m, in 2005 they held a week before the fair. However, the exhibits were all and the creation of websites for museums, dealers and outstanding knowledge of all things ceramic. He built his three sales with a total of about £5.5m. I do not intend subject to vetting for both quality and authenticity by a individuals. Used in the right way this can make a big dif- department at Sotheby’s on a foundation of scholarship to discuss here the peculiarities or the ethics of the panel of specialists, drawn from both the academic and ference to the way in which we buy, collect, deal and and practical experience and prized quality and authen- Buyers’ Premium, but this was introduced by Sotheby’s commercial fields, with a sound knowledge of the varied enjoy the whole spectrum of the world of ceramics. ticity in both people and objects. As a founder member and Christie’s in 1982 and has increased now to 20% at ICF&S-2007 10 11 ICF&S-2007 right, copies of Palissy-type wares, historismus maiolica Mortimer’s book The English Glass Chandelier (Antique and Hispano-Moresque are all considered worthy of Collectors’ Club, Woodbridge, 2000) was the culmina- attention.2 Art Nouveau and Art Deco ceramics have tion of his work on the subject and the first book devot- long been collected and new fields of 20th century ed exclusively to this complicated subject. ceramics and commercial ceramics of the 1950s The area of Italian maiolica has received much onwards are now eagerly sought. So, the market is far scholastic attention over the last 25 years, but most from finished, as I was told all those years ago, but is especially in 1987 when the British Museum held a col- constantly evolving as new aspects of ceramic art attract loquium bringing worldwide scholars together. Their the attention of the contemporary buyer. papers were later published by the Trustees of the However, the traditional fields of collecting still British Museum and edited by Timothy Wilson.7 This was remain the most appealing to the majority of today’s col- soon followed by Julia Poole’s catalogue of the maiolica lectors and this has been reflected in both the lecture in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.8 As well as the titles, the exhibitions and the stock that the dealers at academic side of the subject stimulating the market, the The International Ceramics Fair & Seminar have shown appearance of the Arthur M. Sackler collection at over the last quarter century. Looking back over this Christie’s in New York in the 1993-94 season caused time, the fair handbooks present us with a roll call of the considerable interest and heightened prices. In 1992, the finest dealers and scholars in these fields. In this résumé Art Fund assisted the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, in I have deliberately concentrated on European ceramics purchasing a magnificent Urbino dish (Figure 7) and and glass as my expertise does not extend to the Asian again, in 2003, they bought from Rainer Zietz Ltd. the side of things and, although much of what I have to say astonishing head of phalluses dish attributed to Francesco applies to the Oriental market, there are different Urbini and dated 1536. The British Museum were able to dynamics that come into play. At the first fair 14 of the Figure 4 acquire the documentary Urbino maiolica dish depicting Documentary glass panel engraved by Caspar Lehman (1563?-1620) 44 exhibitors had solely Oriental stock.