Only occasionally do important one owner collections of Welsh ceramics come on the market and it is always both apt and sensible for such groups to be sold within the principality. Auctioneers Peter Francis, of Carmarthen have secured the instructions of the family of Mr. Dennis J. Cockell, of Nottinghamshire to sell his entire collection of Ewenny Pottery, accumulated over some 40 years. Well over 200 pieces made in various potteries in the vicinity of Ewenny from the 19th Century to the Mid 20th Century have now been returned to Wales, catalogued and photographed and await sale on October 21.
Originally a collector of English Delftware, Mr. Cockell (who died this year) bought his first piece of Ewenny in the 1960s when collectors of such wares were few and far between. The fascination grew and in the last 20 years of his life his purchase of and recording and research into the Ewenny potteries became hugely important to him. His aim was to put together a representative collection in terms of styles, types, dates and marks, this in no way driven by any considerations of value. Hence we find ourselves offering a very diverse group of pieces of all shapes, sizes and values, suited to different tastes and pockets. Mr. Cockells aim was always to make his collection available at auction to other collectors at the end of his time.
The sale takes place on Tuesday, October 21 as part of a collective auction of Antiques and Fine Arts.