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Complete sets of Davenport, Wedgwood and Coalport decorative tableware from the Regency period are rare in the UK today, as most were sent to America in the 1970s and 1980s, bought by savvy interior decorators such as Buatta. It’s the same story with fruit and vegetable-form ceramics by potteries such as Longton Hall. But it’s possible to get the ‘chintzy’ effect by other means. ‘You can achieve the look by buying ceramics in the salesrooms – buy odd pieces here and there and put together a ‘composite’ service,’ says John Sandon, who recommends looking out for plates, bowls, dishes, cups and jugs by the English potteries of Chelsea, Bow, Worcester and Derby, available at far keener prices than those paid in New York, which were driven by the Buatta provenance. For an investment buy, Chelsea wares made from the mid to late 18th century offer some of the most beautiful options and feature botanical designs, such as this leafy Blind Earl sweetmeat dish (pictured below right), c1756, that sold at Bonhams for £2,000 (est £1,200-£1,500).

At the more affordable end of the scale, there’s a good variety of Worcester leaf dishes on offer, such as this double vine leaf dish (below left), c1770, which made £160 (est £100-£200), and a large leaf dish, c1770-75, decorated in the rich kakiemon manner that sold for £380 (est £250£350), both at Woolley & Wallis. For an opportunity to get your eye in, Bonhams has a Derby porcelain dessert service coming up for sale at its regular European Ceramics auction on 20th May.