Victorian pottery piece fetches thousands at auction

Discovered in a bag of donations, the oddity sold for an impressive £9,800 when auctioned by Chilcotts Auctioneers.

Regarded as peculiar in appearance, the item is, in fact, a valuable antique spoon warmer.

Popular during Victorian times, such warmers were filled with hot water to keep serving spoons warm.

This specific piece, not only interesting for its peculiar looks but also its origin, was created by Robert Wallace Martin, the eldest among the famed ceramicists, the Martin Brothers.

Together with his brothers Walter, Edwin, and Charles, he made unique and characterful pottery inspired significantly by Middle Ages art.

Famously known as the 'grandfathers' of studio pottery, the brothers pioneered in mass production of pottery pieces, such as their renowned 'Wally Birds' range of eccentric tobacco jars and vases.

The auctioned spoon warmer, dating back to 1879 - the debut year of these items' production, carries immense significance as an early, 'grotesque' example of the Martin Brothers' pottery.

This gothic-inspired style often employed the sgraffito technique highlighted in BBC2's The Great Pottery Throw Down.

Mary Chilcott, who was the auctioneer for the item, explained how there was a real buzz of excitement in the Dolphin Sale Room when bidding began on the spoon warmer at the February 3 'Ceramics, Pictures & Works of Art: Good Antiques & 20th Century Design' sale.

An audible celebration ensued when the final successful bid of £9,800 was struck.

Ms Chilcott said: "This creature has a strange combination of features from different animals; some people see a toad, the ears look like they might be from a pig, and the nose from a dog.

"The huge grinning mouth is the opening where the spoons were placed to keep warm.

"I think it’s a wonderful piece, and totally unique."

Since the item was sold for a local charity, all proceeds from the sale are going to the cause, as no commission was charged by Chilcotts.