AD antiques Launches Gift certificates and features Sgraffito decoration and its popularity in British Art Pottery. Please click the link below for the full December newsletter newsletter 2

Martin Brothers bird-form vessels (often referred to as “Wally Birds” after their creator Robert Wallace) are, for most of us, aspirational items. Largely made to resemble leading political and industrial figures of their time and rendered in the manner of caricature pioneered by the 19th-century English satirical magazine Punch, these whimsical works were eagerly sought-after by London’s “chattering classes”. Commissions for their production came from aristocrats including Lord Faringdon and Sir William Drake. Robert Wallace Martin, the artist genius behind the sculpting of the birds, began his career as an apprentice for Charles Barry on the redesign of the Palace

Shortly before the New Year i had the privilege of visiting Winchester Cathedral and had a very inspiring tour by one of their guides Simon Newman who is also a photographer. The building is probably the most intriguing and highly ornate cathedrals I have visited and a particular treat was to be found in an anti-chapel with a series of stained glass windows by William Morris and Company, several of the designs by Burne Jones. Other highlights included sculpture by Barbara Hepworth, the grave of Jane Austin, hundreds of pagan carvings cheekily hidden by the stone masons and wood workers

AD antiques had enjoyed a lively Autumn with numerous international private and website sales including the featured Martin Brothers Grotesque that flew to America this week. However one of the highlights was the LAPADA fair in Knightsbridge. Sales were strong over all the factories and the contemporary ceramics also sold exceptionally well. After the opening day, Peter Beard’s lovely wife Hillary was on the train, holdalls filled with new pots to restock. There were a number of notable sales, including 7 pieces to a single collector and the rare Wedgwood Nizami Malphry Pot found itself a new home in China!