East Anglia's Unique Porcelain History

When the subject of fine porcelain comes up, it is the famous European names such as Meissen and Sevres which tend to come to mind, or else the leading English manufacturers such as Royal Worcester and Royal Doulton, writes David Broom.  But for collectors, there is a sought-after name which has a much more local resonance: Lowestoft.

It can be hard to believe that for 45 years in the second half of the 18^th century, the Suffolk town was renowned as one of the leading centres for soft-paste porcelain in the world.  And although the factory is long gone, the Lowestoft name is still very much in demand in the saleroom.

The Lowestoft porcelain factory operated from 1757 until 1802.  Based on what is now Crown Street, the factory was built on the site of an existing pottery or brick kiln.  It mostly produced functional pieces such as pots, teapots and jugs, but it also offered decorative pieces and one-off commissions; often these rarer pieces are the ones which are sought-after most at auction.

Lowestoft made soft-paste porcelain, which originated in European attempts to replicate Chinese hard-paste porcelain.  Soft-paste doesn’t require the same high firing temperature as hard-paste, and as a result is weaker, but in the right hands it can achieve the same whiteness and translucency. 

While Lowestoft was championing soft-paste porcelain, European manufacturers such as Meissen had already developed hard-paste by the beginning of the 18^th century, and other English makers such as Spode were bringing forward bone china.  It was competition from these superior materials which eventually led to the closure of the Lowestoft factory in 1802.

The relatively unsophisticated functionality of Lowestoft porcelain, with its inscribed legends and simple floral motifs (at first in blue, but increasingly from the 1770s in polychrome enamels), give it a naïve charm, which is a major part of its attractiveness to collectors.

Because of the local nature of the factory, one of its specialities was special commissions to commemorate a birth, marriage or some other occasion, inscribed with the recipient’s name and date, and sometimes even a view of a local landmark.  Because these are by their nature unique, they command a premium in the saleroom.

You can start collecting Lowestoft porcelain at a very accessible level, with modest pieces of routine tableware selling for around £100.  Prices tend to rise for attractive cream boats and sparrow-beak jugs, while larger items such as teapots and mugs sell into the thousands.  Also in demand are ornamental figures – usually animals – both because of their aesthetic appeal and because relatively few were produced.

The Lowestoft factory was finally demolished in 1955, and the name may not have the prestige of marques like Dresden today, but there is still a very healthy market among a dedicated band of collectors.  Keys’ thrice-yearly Fine Sales always include a good selection of Lowestoft, and as a result are a must for anyone with an interest in East Anglia’s unique porcelain history.

Keys Fine Art Auctioneers spring Fine Sale takes place on Wednesday 26^th, Thursday 27^th and Friday 28^th March.