No area of collecting can offer a wider range of objects, originating from a wider range of cultures and historical periods, than articles fashioned from clay.

In a typical home there are likely to be more objects made of ceramics — earthenware, stoneware and porcelain — than any other single category of material. Most will be of the 20th century, a fair proportion will be late Victorian, and perhaps a few pieces will be earlier. (more…)

Despite the fact that the English hallmarking system is ancient and well-tested, it cannot be relied upon purely for the authenticity of a piece. Its very reputation, respected and revered the world over, makes it vulnerable to dishonest use by fakers and forgers. Transposing marks from one object to another is not an uncommon practice and can be very lucrative when the piece is sold for a high price. Genuine marks may also be removed from an older, damaged object and `married’ to a far later example. This is why experts will sometimes breathe on a piece for, by doing so, the outline of the joins which are invisible to the naked eye should reveal themselves. Certainly when the object is oxidised the let-in silver usually shows fairly clearly. This practice of transposition is not a new one and has been used for many years. (more…)