AUCTION OF THE MONTH
5th December, Design – to include the Peter Dingley Collection
Peter Dingley MBE (1923-2018) was a champion of British studio ceramics. He opened his popular Stratford-upon-Avon gallery in 1966, where his exhibitions were an influential platform for pioneering artists such as Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie, Hans Coper and John Ward. In fact, Lucie Rie said she had never seen her work look better than it did at one of Dingley’s exhibitions in 1983.
Although Dingley didn’t describe himself as a collector, he acquired many beautiful pieces over the years – and Mallams auctioneers in Oxford has been instructed to sell an array of studio pottery and artworks from his estate on 5th December. This includes rare British ceramics, plus 19th and 20th-century pictures by artists such as Frances Hodgkins and John Varley.
‘It’s his personal collection acquired over many years,’ explains Max Fisher, Mallams’ 20th-century art and design specialist. ‘These are personal pieces left over from exhibitions or from potters directly. He was well known in the field of British craft. These are the pots he chose.’ Mallams’ past studio ceramics and 20th-century design sales have proved popular among collectors, and the Peter Dingley Collection is expected to generate similar interest, with the 55 lots expected to bring in more than £100,000.
Including both contemporary and antique pieces that spanned a mixture of price points, Dingley’s collection was diverse, and included an array of works by lesser-known artists and makers. However, the true highlights of this sale are the rare works by the frontrunners of British studio pottery, such as a stoneware ‘sack’ form vase by Hans Coper (est £20,000-£30,000) and a Lucie Rie bottle vase with pitted white glaze (est £6,000-£10,000).
Dingley often picked up pieces that he liked from exhibitions in his gallery. They were the works that he loved the most and enjoyed living with at home – something that makes this sale truly special. And, in accordance with Dingley’s wishes, the profits from the sale will benefit two charities that help living potters and artists.
Mallams, 24A St Michael’s Street, Oxford, OX1 2EB. mallams.co.uk