By Vivienne Milburn FRICS Independent Antiques Auctioneer & Valuer
The notion of an old-fashioned Christmas entices you to want to settle down with a mulled wine served in a crystal wine glass before a traditional feast served from silverware on fine bone china.
Using your traditional china and silverware might be considered old-fashioned at any other time of the year, but at Christmas it is a joy to use and there are lots of gorgeous things in auctions pre-Christmas.
Above: Royal Pinxton Roses pattern extensive table service, made at Royal Crown Derby. It is expected to make £1,000-£2,000 in the pre-Christmas auction.
The extensive Royal Crown Derby table service shown here is expected to make £1,000 to £2,000 in the forthcoming auction. It is decorated with the “Royal Pinxton Roses” pattern, the pattern paying tribute to the Pinxton porcelain factory (1795-1813) and William Billingsley’s paintings of roses.
Pinxton Porcelain was a works created by John Coke and William Billingsley in Pinxton, founded on land at the head of the Cromford Canal. Billingsley was a porcelain painter who had been trained at the Derby works and is renowned for the quality of his porcelain painting, particularly his flowers.
John Coke married Susanna Wilmot in April 1806 and although the porcelain business continued under John Cutts, who had been decorating manager until 1813, Coke’s interest moved to his coal mining business in Pinxton and he moved his family home to Debdale Hall, Mansfield Woodhouse.
There is continued interest from collectors in early examples of Pinxton Porcelain, because the factory only existed for a short time and the pieces they produced are relatively rare and sought after.
Also in a forthcoming auction is this silver-plated tureen set in the neo-classical style by Viners of Sheffield, which will make a fine display on a Christmas table. It is expected to make £200 to £400 in the specialist auction.
Editor’s note: Do you have antiques and collectables that might be valuable? If so, it is worth getting the advice of an Independent Antiques Valuer to assess them. For further information, please contact Vivienne on 07870 238788 or go to www.viviennemilburn.co.uk or email
vivienne@viviennemilburn.co.uk