A Lowestoft porcelain plate from the 18th century, described as exceptionally rare, emerges after decades of anonymity in an attic and is set for an important appearance at auction.
Why the Lowestoft plate found in the attic is so special
A Lowestoft porcelain plate described as “exceptionally rare” was discovered in an attic after more than half a century and is poised to fetch tens of thousands of pounds at auction. The auction house Woolley and Wallis describes it as a “historically important” specimen, made at the Lowestoft Porcelain Factory in Suffolk.
Dated 1766, the plate, with a diameter of 0.7 feet (22.7 cm), was found carefully wrapped in wood shavings in an old tea chest. It was part of a collection of nearly 80 pieces, stored in a London property and unnoticed for decades.
What are the estimates and context of the auction sale?
The plate is estimated between 10,000 and 20,000 pounds and will be offered as part of the “British and Continental Ceramics and Glass” sale in London, scheduled for Thursday. In this context, the piece stands out for its rarity, provenance, and historical significance compared to other contemporary ceramic artifacts.
John Axford, Chairman of the auction house and specialist in Asian art and ceramics, stated that it is “a great pleasure” to offer for sale a collection hidden for 57 years. The long absence from the market contributes to strengthening the interest of collectors and scholars.
Who formed the collection and why was it hidden?
The collection includes rare examples of 18th-century English porcelain, as well as ceramics and stoneware, and was assembled by the late Annemarie Lobbenberg. The designer, a passionate collector, carefully selected each piece, building a core of works now considered of great value.
After her death in 1971, the most valuable items were packed away and stored, remaining inaccessible until a few months ago. However, this long period of oblivion has preserved the collection in exceptional condition, making the recent discovery particularly significant for the specialist market.
Why is this specimen considered the “jewel” of the collection?
According to Woolley and Wallis, among all the pieces, it is the porcelain plate that is considered the “rare gem” and the “crème de la crème” of the collection. Experts emphasize how it combines aesthetic quality, rarity, and historical documentation, three elements rarely found in the same object.
Annemarie Lobbenberg, born in what is now the Czech Republic and having fled to England from Nazi Germany in 1938, purchased the plate when it last appeared on the open market in 1968. Additionally, her personal history as a refugee collector adds another narrative layer to the provenance of the piece.
What are the historical and decorative features of the Lowestoft porcelain plate
Made at the renowned Lowestoft Porcelain Factory, founded in the 1750s, the plate retains its original dedication and date. This information is crucial for reconstructing the factory’s production and studying 18th-century English porcelain.
The decoration, executed in underglaze blue, depicts a flowering auricula and includes symbolic motifs, along with a handwritten dedication to “Charles Ward… July the 5 1766“. These iconographic and textual elements provide direct insights into the social and collecting context of the time.
What role does academic documentation play in the evaluation of the piece
The plate has been formally documented, meaning it has been analyzed and published in academic, museum, or specialist literature. This strengthens its historical authority and increases its appeal to collectors of antique ceramics.
For example, the piece is illustrated and discussed in the reference guide by Geoffrey A. Godden, “The Illustrated Guide to Lowestoft Porcelain,” published in 1969. This volume remains one of the main sources for scholars of Lowestoft production.
How rare is a find of this level
“Finds of this quality, with such clear provenance and such importance for studies, are exceptionally rare,” commented John Axford. According to the specialist, few 18th-century objects combine material integrity, documented history, and collecting continuity so convincingly.
Moreover, Axford emphasizes that “pieces of this type are exceptionally scarce, as very few surviving specimens speak directly from the 18th century and are firmly anchored to the body of studies.” Overall, the plate found in the attic represents a rare meeting point between market, research, and historical memory.
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