SPECIALIST: MICHAEL JEFFERY +44 (0) 1722 424 505 michaeljeffery@woolleyandwallis.co.uk


1. Joseph Sevier (born 1961) Cello Gordo Dated 1998


Oil on canvas, framed. Estimate: £400 - 600


2. A Pilkington’s Lancastrian vase by Richard Joyce, dated 1908.


Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500


3. A selection of Ruskin Pottery high-fired stoneware by William Howson Taylor.


NICK ROCKE It is with great pleasure, tinged with sadness, that we offer Nick Rocke’s collection of British Art Pottery, paintings and furniture in a single owner auction. Nick was a very good client of mine and supported nearly every 20th Century sale I have organised at Woolley & Wallis over 10 years. Nick’s houses in London and Bournemouth were both full of pots of all kinds. His passion was for Ruskin and Pilkington’s Lancastrian and his collections of these classic British art potteries is amongst the finest in private hands. Nick also pursued a wide and varied interest in contemporary ceramics (and paintings) from Bernard Leach to the present day potters, be they local to him, internationally renowned figures or emerging potters whose work he spotted and appreciated.


Nick was also passionately interested in classical music, whether running his company Bournemouth Classic Compact, singing in his church choir or playing the organ. As part of the Salisbury Arts Festival Woolley & Wallis sponsored The Hilliard Ensemble in 2013 and it was my pleasure to invite Nick to the event. Sadly when we sponsored the Wu Quartet in 2014 he was too ill to attend.


Over the years Nick has sold parts of his collection with us, including Martin Ware, Royal Doulton flambé and Bernard Moore flambé, and we are honoured to be selling the remainder of his collection.


Michael Jeffery RUSKIN POTTERY


In 1898 William Howson Taylor established a new pottery in Smethwick, near Birmingham, with his father. The pottery was a pure Art Pottery and took its name from the English Victorian writer, artist and historian John Ruskin - the Ruskin Pottery. Inspired by the shapes and glazes of the ancient Chinese masters, Howson Taylor produced modern pots, exhibited internationally in St Louis (1904) and Brussels (1910), with a highly secret glaze formula. The factory was closed on his retirement in 1935 and under William Howson Taylor instruction the day books and chemical glaze recipes were destroyed - adding a further mystique to his production.


PILKINGTON’S LANCASTRIAN POTTERY In stark contrast to the Ruskin Pottery, Pilkington’s Lancastrian pottery was formed first, through the chance find of clay and then through the appointment and expertise of William Burton who had been traditionally trained at the Wedgwood factory. Pilkington’s quickly developed a modern decorative Art Nouveau style of painted lustre ceramics – using designs from the top British artists Walter Crane, C.F.A Voysey and Lewis F Day.


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4. A Pilkington’s Lancastrian vase by, Gordon Forsyth dated 1910.


Estimate: £700 - 1,000


5. Two Ruskin Pottery high-fired stoneware vases by William Howson Taylor, dated 1910 and 1905. Estimates: £1,000 - 2,000 and £700 - 1,000


As well these recognised Arts and Crafts designers the factory employed designers including Gordon M Forsyth, Charles Cundall and Richard Joyce alongside women artists Annie Burton (daughter of William Burton) and Gladys Rogers.


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THE NICK ROCKE COLLECTION OF BRITISH ART POTTERY | 17


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