NEW WORLD RECORD FOR A TEASET 358 SHAPE VASE IN THE RARE SUNSPOTS PATTERN MADE £17,000. Christies latest Clarice Cliff sale saw a return to the mid week slot. Numbers in the room where slightly down from the last weekend sale, but Internet bidding was added. The sale had 249 lots and included a good cross section of items and prices. One slight catch of this sale was that there were many lots that were subject to VAT on the Hammer price, as well as the commission. Unsuspecting buyers may have been shocked to find that their purchases were subject to a whopping 41% addition at the till (VAT of 17.5%+ commission of 20%+VAT of 3.5%). The sale started off with strong prices for Sugar Sifters. The rare Zap Conical Sifter (slightly spoiled by its Café au lait painting) inevitably zoomed past its top estimate of £400 to go for £1100. A Poplar example , despite a hairline made £1200. An example in Orange Roof Cottage went for £1600, which is perhaps an indication , that Clarice prices are returning to previous highs. A rather disappointing selection of overpriced Biscuit barrels all failed to sell. In the Jugs and Bowls section an Athens shape in Gibraltar Jug made £800 and a Tulips Daffodil Jug made £500 (but was subject to the 41% charge). The first section of Vases had some very nice pieces. All three of the rare shaped Bonjour Vases sold. Secrets at £550, Coral Firs at £750, and Honolulu at £950. The first two should have made more, but that nasty 41% was applicable and obviously put the brakes on the bidding. The star of the Vases was a shape 358 in Sunspots. It had an estimate of £6-8,000, but made £17,000 . A selection of Dame Laura Knight pieces didn’t fair too well, with a lot of the plates failing to sell. In the Teaset section a Green Chintz Stamford Tea for Two made £1500, and the massive Oranges and Lemons Tea and Coffee set for twelve people made a new world record of £20,000 (again subject to the 41% nightmare). The second selection of Vases featured a Delecia Pansies 465 Vase for £2300, and the same pattern on a liner Vase for £1800. All in all, some very strong prices and the number of “not solds” was quite low. An encouraging sale that will maintain confidence in the Clarice market. Congratulations to Joy McCall of Christies for all her effort in putting the sale together. Colin Mawston Decodance.com Oranges & Lemons Tea & Coffee set Set a new world record for a Teaset when it sold for £28,200 (inc Commission and VAT) To view our selection of authentic Clarice Cliff click here decodance@yahoo.co.uk