John Taylors Auctioneers hosted a noteworthy sale of Military Crested China on the 8th October 2024, attracting collectors of crested china with a special focus on military-themed pieces featuring Lincolnshire-related crests. The auction highlighted the enduring appeal of crested china—a collectible pottery tradition popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for its intricate designs and ties to local heritage, crested china includes miniature models of military vehicles, monuments, and everyday objects adorned with coats of arms from specific towns and cities.
The auction showcased a range of military-themed crested china, a niche that remains highly sought after among collectors. Pieces modelled after tanks, submarines, and cannons, all bearing the crests of Lincolnshire towns, proved to be the highlights of the sale. Military-themed items like these are particularly appealing to collectors, as they combine historical significance with regional pride, making them unique mementos of the First World War era. The lots looked great but sadly, the prices realised were a fraction of past highs.
Highlights of the Military Crested China Sale
Several lots stood out during the auction for their variety and historical connections:
- Lot 133: Six World War I tank models, crested for Lincoln, Bonby, Cleethorpes, Spalding, and Skegness, sold for £75. Tanks, particularly associated with Lincolnshire, have strong local ties as the first tanks were developed in Lincoln during the war.
- Lot 115: A diverse collection of seven battleships crested for Grantham, Woodhall Spa, Grimsby, Cleethorpes, and Lincoln, along with a Louth cannon, rabbit, and plate, fetched £75.
- Lot 97: Four submarines (Grimsby, Grantham, Cleethorpes, and Sutton On Sea) and three airships (Lincoln, Skegness, and Horncastle), plus a Cleethorpes monoplane, were hotly contested and sold for £100, the highest price among the lots.
- Lot 118: Eight cannons, howitzers, and field guns with crests from Lincoln, Cleethorpes, Sutton On Sea (3), and Grimsby realized £45.
- Lot 96: A mixed collection, including a “We’ve kept the home fires burning” fireplace with a Louth crest, an elephant, and three hand grenades crested for Skegness, Gosburton, and Mablethorpe, achieved £55.
Military-themed crested china, like those featured in this auction, holds special appeal due to its historical and patriotic associations. Items such as tanks, submarines, and grenades reflect the ingenuity and sacrifice of the First World War era, while their crests anchor them to specific localities, deepening their sentimental and collectible value.
Collectors of area-specific crested china often seek items bearing the names and crests of towns they have a personal connection to or regions with rich histories. Lincolnshire, with its key role in World War I tank development and its wide array of town crests, remains a popular focus for such collectors. Pieces from towns like Cleethorpes, Lincoln, and Louth not only represent local pride but also commemorate the industrial and military heritage of the area. John Taylors Auctioneers’ October sale underscored the continued fascination with crested china, particularly military and regional pieces.
