Blue and White Porcelain Collection Assembled by the ‘God’ of Ceramics to Be Sold at Bonhams

LONDON.- An outstanding collection of Blue and White Porcelain assembled by the renowned ceramics expert Geoffrey Godden is to be auctioned at Bonhams on Wednesday 30th June.

A very rare Worcester plate painted with 'Boys at Play', circa 1752. Estimate £10,000-12,000

Godden’s encyclopaedic knowledge has earned him the nickname ‘God’ to many in the ceramics field, and this collection, many items of which are included in his Guide to British Blue & White Porcelain, is much admired. “Bonhams is honoured to be selling such a fine collection put together by this celebrated expert. Many of the pieces are outstanding examples of blue and white, and the fact that they can be seen in Geoffrey’s books will add considerable interest. They would be a valuable addition to any collection.” says Fergus Gambon, Director of Bonhams European Ceramics Department.

Geoffrey Godden, a leading British authority on ceramics, and the author of over 30 books on the subject, was the second generation of an antique dealing family. He learnt about antiques, and particularly ceramics, in his father’s shop in Worthing before starting to collect English blue and white in 1948 whilst on National Service. One of his first purchases was three teapots from the sale of the contents of Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire, which he bought for £11. One of these (c.1746-48) is included in this auction and is now expected to fetch £15,000-20,000. His extensive reference collection has grown over the following sixty years and Godden has devoted his life to cutting-edge academic research into British ceramic history, and to publishing the results of his studies.

This auction of more than 200 pieces of blue and white presents a remarkable opportunity to acquire famous pieces of English porcelain, for most are published in Godden’s many well-known books. Examples of Limehouse, Vauxhall, Isleworth, Worcester, and of course Lowestoft, his personal favourite, are included in the sale.

Highlights include a very rare Worcester plate painted with ‘Boys at Play’, circa 1752, estimate £10,000-12,000; an Isleworth tankard, inscribed with initials and dated 1779 (£6,000-8,000) and a Lowestoft miniature or toy teapot, circa 1785 (£6,000-8,000).

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