Meet the ugly bunch at Moore Allen

WITH wild hair and bulbous eyes, you wouldn't want to meet this bunch on a dark night. But enough about the auctioneers at Moore Allen & Innocent in Cirencester, it's a collection of carved wooden tribal figures that has everyone talking this week.

A couple of early 20th century cross-legged, life-sized (for pygmies) figures from the South Pacific along with their smaller pal, armed with a spear, will go under the hammer at the Antique and General Sale on Friday, February 18 carrying an estimate of £50 to £80 for the three.

Meanwhile, a pair of tribal fertility figures from the same part of the world come with a warning to the prudish – their grass skirts do not cover their modesty. A bid of £20 to £30 should secure these upstanding citizens of the tribal community.

From closer to home, there are some good examples of Arts & Crafts pottery from the South West of England. Three examples by Brannam, founded in Barnstaple in 1847, include two candlesticks featuring herons (£150 - £180), a spouted vase with fish design (£150 - £180) and a bowl featuring intertwined fish, with an estimate of £80 to £100, all circa 1890.

Another big name in English pottery, working 40 years later, was Michael Cardew OBE, who revived the 17th century slipware tradition, where clay is trailed over clay to create a raised decorative pattern. His influence can be seen in five pieces of Winchcombe pottery, which carry an estimate of £100 to £150.

From handcrafted pottery to mass-produced china, and the factories here and abroad manufacturing porcelain souvenirs have gone into overdrive for the forthcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

A fans of the monarchy will be able to bid for a collection of about 30 items of memorabilia from previous royal weddings: Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in 1986, Princes Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, and Princess Anne and Mark Philips way back in 1973.

The collection also includes memorabilia from the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. Souvenir mugs make up the bulk of the collection, but there are also books, playing cards, vases, ashtrays and even a commemorative pair of white towelling sport socks (fits show size 4-7) from the jubilee. A bid of £30 to £50 should secure the lot.

For an auction catalogue, log on to www.mooreallen.co.uk/furniturefinearts
 

A collection of tribal figures	Arts & Crafts pottery by Brannam, circa 1890
Five pieces of Winchcombe pottery bear all the hallmarks of Michael Cardew OBE	Part of a collection of around 30 pieces of royal wedding memorabilia