Auction No. 5
22nd May 2010


Will Farmer of Fieldings Auctioneers, Stourbridge, Great Britain

Firstly, I have to say I am still delighted if a little stunned that we now have four ALL Clarice Cliff auctions under out belt! As a professional auctioneer I do of course have to remain dispassionate in my work, but ‘our’ Clarice had always been close to my heart, and working together with Len, Andrew, Doreen, Peggy, Terry  and the club team over the last 2 years, has re-ignited my love of her work to the extent that I am now a true ‘Cliffie’.

As you may know I have also recently been writing a new little pocket book all about Clarice Cliff which has jettisoned me back to the glorious 1930’s ! Over the last few months I have become totally immersed in her life and work really getting to grips with understanding both Clarice the designer and Clarice the businesswoman.

Handling the many great pieces Clarice Cliff Collectors Club members have consigned for sale has taught me a great deal about modern day collecting. Cataloging everything from huge chargers to cups and saucers has been a privilege as it’s helped me understand Clarice’s work even better. I still love ‘my’ landscape patterns but now have many new favourites; combine this with the huge array of great shapes and there seems to be no end of possibilities to my own collection.  I know that when I speak to other Cliffies this is true for them also.

Driving around Britain (and occasionally even flying overseas) to collect pieces for the sales I’ve met so many wonderful and passionate collectors. Collections take a great deal of time and understanding and as with anything in life they evolve! Over the last two years I’ve noticed a trend in collectors either upgrading or fine honing their collections, trading one early purchase for a new passion or combining three or four smaller pieces to help finance one larger or more significant piece.

As I sat on the rostrum at the last sale I was aware that some of my selling clients had swapped hats to become buying clients, actually there in the audience bidding on new pieces! One of them was Ian Shay, one of life’s true gentlemen and a staunch ‘Cliffie’, I was delighted when he wrote to thank me about his experience of selling and buying with our company, so I asked Ian if I could use his message, and he kindly agreed.

"I think the catalogue is a very professional and informative document. The broad range of items included makes this attractive to collectors who might have been previously intimidated by the approach of some London auction houses who used to adopt a ‘top end pieces only’ policy. I think the detailed condition reports are also an excellent move, giving people the confidence to buy knowing what they are buying, and the 15 per cent commission rate means the whole auction experience is a good one!"

"As a seller in the auction recently, I sold 52 out of 63 lots - an 83% sale rate. The average price achieved was 117% of the reserve. This was achieved by agreeing sensible reserves and giving you discretion in the auction. I am very happy with the results."

“As a buyer I came home with a wonderfully painted Limberlost pattern Lotus jug, but sadly without the marvellous Latona Tree charger. After several auctions I have now become very disciplined. As an accountant I think I still manage to buy with my head and not my heart, but sometimes it is very difficult!"

I have to thank Ian for his kind comments, and it was this, and other feedback I received, that means I am delighted to announce our Fieldings & Clarice Cliff Collectors Club Sale No. 5. I know from your comments and feedback that you would like more variety, in both style and price. I appreciate that as collectors you want good quality pieces, and are prepared to pay market price for these. Therefore, whether you are thinking of selling part of a collection, or even a single piece, I’d like to hear from you so we can make the sale even better. Maybe take a moment to look at the shelves or even inside the cupboards. Has your collection changed direction or matured? Are there some ‘lost souls’ or early acquisitions which just don’t fit in anymore? Is it time to let a few rogues free and replace with something you really yearn for?  I believe our average sold rate of approximately 70% each sale combined with the great results show that Fieldings really is the best place to sell or buy at present.

Sale No. 5 is again on a Saturday, 22 May. I’m not trying to get our BIGGEST sale this time, just the BEST, and as before whether you have £100 or £2000 I hope to have something for you. Certainly, I already have some great pieces promised. There will be a CCCC stall for both the Friday viewing and Saturday, and we hope to launch my new Clarice Cliff book that weekend too.

Whether you come along in May as a seller, buyer, or both, we can all enjoy the auction weekend. With all the pots and other Cliffies at the sale, it’s a great time. Your very active club has always been pivotal in creating a community of collectors rather than many lone individuals. All in all it should be another very special time for us Cliffies!

will@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Tel – 01384 444140

Will Farmer was a CCCC member (and our youngest ever!) in the early 1990s. and will be contributing articles of academic interest in the Clarion for members.