North Devon creativity features in next Chilcotts auction
Two renowned North Devon makers founded in the mid to late 19th century are being showcased at Chilcotts Auctioneers next auction in Honiton on January 25.
The companies, Shapland and Petter and Brannam Pottery were both based in Barnstaple and became highly regarded not just locally but nationally for their creativity and quality.
Shapland and Petter were makers of Arts and Crafts furniture. The business was established in 1854 by cabinet maker Henry Shapland and accountant Henry Petter. In 1864 they created the Raleigh Cabinet Works, a dedicated furniture production facility, which supplied items for the London Guildhall, Pullman carriages and Tapeley Park near Instow as well as supplying retailers across the country. Shapland and Petter continued its work for over 160 years, being taken over by the LS Group in 1999 before trading ceased in 2016.
Chilcotts are selling 38 superb quality lots including sideboards, bookshelves, desks, numerous mirrors and an unusual pipe rack and a desk, featuring many of the brand’s trademark hand carved motifs, inlay and hammered copper decoration. One particularly fascinating item is an oak smokers cabinet with a stencilled and painted panel inscribed The Last Bunker, made circa 1900. Estimates range from £60 to £600. The furniture is suitable for both period and contemporary homes, ideal as statement pieces; mostly made in oak, they have bags of character and are not overly large.
Also featured in the auction are over 30 items of Brannam Pottery. Founded in Barnstaple in 1847 by Thomas Brannam, the company started out making utilitarian products. Thomas’s son Charles Hubert took the business in another direction, making art pottery at the Litchdon Street site. This attractive pottery, which often featured blue and green glazes with motifs of the coast, became popular in London. An order from Queen Victoria led to the pottery being branded Royal Barum Ware, sold at high end stores including Liberty. Brannam also collaborated with its Barnstaple cousin, Shapland and Petter.
The items at auction are all over a century old with a selection of puzzle jugs, vases, bowls, several glazed pottery cat models - and an unusual bright blue boot sculpture. In superb condition, estimates are from £50 to £200, making these affordable decorative items for the home.
The Brannam Pottery collection was consigned by a vendor in Sidmouth and the Arts and Crafts furniture came to Chilcotts after the sale of a Dorchester residence. Each of the collections were catalogued by Chilcotts youngest valuers; the pottery by Mary Chilcott (22) and the furniture by Barnaby Willis (21).
Liz Chilcott said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the next generation of auction specialists coming into the sector. Mary and Barnaby are fast becoming experts in their field; their knowledge and dedication to thorough research is already incredibly impressive.”
Viewing takes place at the Dolphin Sale Room in Honiton High Street from January 22-24 9am to 4pm and the auction starts at 10am on January 25.
