Generations-worth of North Devon pottery for auction

A superb array of North Devon pottery dating from the eighteenth century up to the modern day will take centre stage at Chilcotts October 12 auction in Honiton.

Star of the show is ‘The Fishley Collection’, which is creating great excitement amongst admirers of this Devon folk art.

Auctioneer Mary Chilcott, who curated the collection, says “There are well over 80 pieces of earthenware pottery spanning classical and biblical subjects, art pottery, puzzle jugs and harvest jugs.

“It’s a real showcase of this regional Devon craft, and, as far as we know, the largest selection of Fishley pottery ever to be included in a single auction.”

This style of pottery harks back to the early nineteenth century when George Fishley set up Fremington Pottery and began using the decorative traditions of slipware and sgraffito. After the death of his son Edmund, George bequeathed his pottery to his grandson, Edwin Beer Fishley.

Edwin took over the pottery in the mid-1860s and went on to become the best-known of the Fishley potters. His work had a huge influence on members of the later Studio Pottery movement including Bernard Leach, Michael Cardew and Japanese artist, Hamada Shoji.

Fremington Pottery closed on Edwin’s death in 1912, but his grandson William ‘Willie’ Fishley Holland set up a kiln in Braunton before moving to Clevedon, Somerset, where he continued to work until his retirement in the 1960s.

The auction includes items from each of the Fishley potters, from the early, less refined work of George through Edwin Beer’s experimental cobalt and copper glazes to William’s highly decorative style. There are also a number of pieces by potters who were influenced by the Fishleys, using the slipware and sgraffito style. They include Harry Juniper, who has been called the ‘guardian of North Devon pottery making’, his son Nick Juniper and Bernand Leach’s son, Philip.

“We’re auctioning several exquisitely decorated ceramic works by Harry which are delightful, with plenty of humorous detail,” Mary says. “One jug, ‘Tipsy Jubilee’, shows HRH Queen Elizabeth enjoying a drink on her throne, there’s a strikingly decorated ‘Devil’s Bowl’ and a musical owl that plays Happy Birthday when wound up! And, tying back neatly to the Fishleys, one particularly beautiful vase entitled ‘The Potters Tree’ depicts the highly creative dynasty.”

‘The Fishley Collection’ has been brought to market by a direct descendant of the family, Margaret Squance after she took some examples to one of Chilcotts’ North Devon valuation days in Barnstaple. The great, great-granddaughter of Edwin Beer Fishley, Margaret’s interest in her family heritage was sparked by childhood visits to her great uncle William in Clevedon. He gave her miniature pots and jugs which she thought little of, until she went to a Bristol market and saw his pottery on sale. After that, she caught the collecting bug. Some pieces were passed down to her through the family, so this is first time they have been offered for sale. Other items, including the Harry Juniper pieces, Margaret bought herself to add to her collection.

Mary Chilcott added: “Having such a range of Fishley pottery from different eras together gives a real sense of the scale and quality of the family’s work. We’re really proud to be bringing it to auction.”

Public viewing of the collection and other auction items is from Wednesday October 9 at Chilcotts Dolphin Saleroom in Honiton High Street. The auction, which includes other ceramics, pictures and works of art, antiques and twentieth century design, starts at 10am on Saturday October 12.