The great haul of china! Woman’s massive porcelain set fetches £400k
A WOMAN’S enormous of rare porcelain has nearly £400,000.
The late Judith Howard’s passion for French ceramics saw the walls, shelves and display cabinets of her modest home adorned with hundreds of plates, dishes and bowls.
After she died last year, her daughter Charlotte decided to auction off the collection as it reminded her too much of her mother.
Judith was well known for having an eye for a bargain, and a 250-yearold plate she bought for £13 at an antiques shop fetched £31,250.
The item was once part of a 1,735piece dinner service made for French King Louis XV and was housed in the Palace of Versailles.
Judith acquired most of her porcelain from dealers and antique shops but, in her later years, when she was less mobile, she took to buying on auction website eBay.
Charlotte described her mother’s approach to interior design as “maximalist”, ensuring every bit of wall space in her home was filled.
She said: “I’m completely overwhelmed at the result. It’s been incredibly emotional. I’m so very proud of my mother and I hope she is watching from afar and is pleased.”
Judith, from Melksham, Wilts, died last year aged 73.
Her collection went under the hammer with auctioneers Woolley & collection sold for
Wallis, of Salisbury, Wilts, Clare Durham, a ceramics experts at the auction house, said: “From the moment the catalogue first came out there has been a real buzz around the sale of Judith Howard’s collection, and rightly so.
“We had interest from several UK, continental and American museums, which is not surprising given the rarity of some of the objects.”
In the 1970s, the Howards found fame when they won a BBC competition to find the UK’s thriftiest family. It led to them appearing on Blue Peter and Judith securing a regular column in Woman’s Own magazine.