Our specialists, Emma and Alex from our Homes and Interiors department, reflect on their favourite lots in our past and current Homes and Interiors sales.
9 February 2023
Sworders’ Homes & Interiors auctions have always welcomed quality ceramics in their sale, however, the last six months has featured some very significant results. Aided by the passion for ceramics from sale specialists, Alex Froggatt and Emma Barnett, highlights from recent sales have been numerous.
From our recent January 31 Homes & Interiors sale, a particular highlight was 'George Jones Majolica comport' which sold for £2,210 and a Meissen ‘Pagoda’ porcelain figure from our October sale fetched £1,403 including fees.
A Meissen ‘Pagoda’ porcelain figure - £1,403 (left) & A George Jones Majolica comport - £2,210 (right)
Other notable lots included a pair of Royal Crown Derby ‘Imari’ pattern porcelain candlesticks and a William Moorcroft ‘Pomegranate’ pattern pottery vase, for Liberty & Co.
A pair of Royal Crown Derby ‘Imari’ pattern porcelain candlesticks - £650 (left) & A Moorcroft pottery 'Pomegranate' pattern vase for Liberty & Co - £806 (right)
We are hoping to continue this trend with a delightful collection of English 19th century porcelain from a private UK collector, coming up for sale in our 14 February Homes and Interiors auction. Included in the group is a wonderful pair of Royal Crown Derby ewers by Desire Leroy. Having been apprenticed at the renowned Sevres porcelain factory, the Frenchman ventured to Britain. First taking up residence at Minton and later at Royal Crown Derby, where this pair of ewers were produced.
This pair of ewers perfectly display ‘Limoges enamel’ decoration. A technique similar to pate-sur-pate, meaning paste on paste, which is a process that involves building layers of white clay that are then carved. Limoges enamel gives a cameo glass like finish to porcelain often seen on a deep cobalt blue ground.
A pair of Royal Crown Debry Limoges enamel ewers - £3,000 - £4,000
Irrespective of the techniques used, this group of porcelain is a fine offering that any connoisseur or budding collector can get excited about.
To view more lots in our upcoming 14 February Homes and Interiors sale, click here.
The term ‘Company School’ refers to a genre of painting that emerged in India in the late 18th and 19th centuries, flourishing under the patronage of British East India Company officials, their families, and other European residents in India. Sworders Asian & Islamic Art department is pleased to present a curated selection of these wonderfully insightful works in their next auction on Friday 15 May.
20 April 2026
A fascinating group of 42 lots from the Sir Thomas Longmore library feature in our Books, Manuscripts and Maps auction, offering a rare insight into Victorian military medicine and reform. Highlights include two letters by Florence Nightingale, alongside annotated books and personal volumes from Longmore’s own collection.
16 April 2026
A remarkable group of books from the library of Professor C.J.F. Dowsett will feature in our April Books, Manuscripts and Maps sale. The collection reflects a lifetime of scholarship in Armenian, Iranian and Near Eastern studies.
16 April 2026