300-year-old pottery uncovered at charity valuation day

An antiques valuation day held in Wilmslow to raise funds for Francis House Children’s Hospice has turned up some rare finds.

The event saw more than thirty members of the public through the doors at the Cheshire pub and restaurant the Coach and Four.

Fine arts expert Adrian Rathbone from Derbyshire based Hansons auctioneers, was delighted to uncover a rare piece of early pottery.

A Staffordshire slipware charger, one of the earliest types of primitive pottery before porcelain, was brought in by a local resident who had inherited it.

Adrian said: “It’s very rare to find a piece like this outside of a museum. The charger dates from around 1720 and will no doubt appeal to connoisseurs as an academic piece of historical importance.”

The charger could fetch between £1,500 and £2,000 and will go into a fine arts auction on June 30.

Anyone keen to know the value of their prized heirlooms can come along for a free valuation in return for a donation to Francis House.

Also of interest were a number of antique silver pieces including a large entrée dish from the early 19^thcentury.

“It is very rare to find an entrée dish in solid silver, they are normally plated. I’ve only seen a few in my career. The owner felt it was time for the items to find a new home and was curious about their value,” said Adrian

The dish was valued at around £1,500.

The next valuation day is being held at The Coach & Four, 69/71 Alderley Road, Wilmslow SK9 1PA on Thursday May 18 between 11 am and 2pm.