A wide range of rare shaped, inscribed and decorative items made at a Lowestoft landmark factory are set to go under the hammer next week as part of a special sale.

With the popularity of wares produced at the Lowestoft Porcelain factory in the 18th Century remaining as strong as ever, around 100 lots will feature as an annual auction returns to its hometown.

Lot 17 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a small 8cm feeding cup painted in blue and white with floral sprays and moths is expected to fetch £140-£160. Picture: Zoë SprakeLot 17 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a small 8cm feeding cup painted in blue and white with floral sprays and moths is expected to fetch £140-£160. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

The annual Lowestoft Porcelain auction will be held at the Hotel Victoria, on Kirkley Cliff Road, on Wednesday, October 23.

Lowestoft Porcelain was first established in 1757 and produced a range of household pieces such as teapots, tea bowls and personalised birth tablets - as well as specially commissioned pieces inscribed with names and dates - at a factory in Crown Street, before closing in 1802.

Blue & white barrel shaped teapot and cover, boy on a bridge pattern, is expected to 350-450. Picture: Zoe SprakeLot 25 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a blue and white barrel shaped teapot and cover, boy on a bridge pattern, is expected to fetch £350-£450. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoe Sprake)

The tradition and its unique place in the history of ceramic manufacture has been celebrated by an annual auction - held for 40 years - and originally established by auctioneer and enthusiast, Russell Sprake.

Lot 89 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a small 11cm polychrome vase, cornucopia and flower spray in cartouche is expected to fetch £350-£450. Picture: Zoë SprakeLot 89 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a small 11cm polychrome vase, cornucopia and flower spray in cartouche is expected to fetch £350-£450. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

Since her husband died, Zoë Sprake has managed the auction and since 2016, she has had "invaluable assistance" of the well known auctioneer Elizabeth Talbot, director of TW Gaze Diss Auction Rooms.

Well-known auctioneer Elizabeth Talbot. Picture: Elizabeth TalbotWell-known auctioneer Elizabeth Talbot. Picture: Elizabeth Talbot (Image: Elizabeth Talbot)

Viewing will take place from 3pm on the day of the sale on October 23 before bidding starts at 7pm, with Mrs Talbot on the rostrum.

Lot 91 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a large pencil and gilt jug with strainer lip and cover and a scroll handle, painted with fine floral sprays 2200-2600 is expected to fetch £2,200-£2,600. Picture: Zoë SprakeLot 91 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a large pencil and gilt jug with strainer lip and cover and a scroll handle, painted with fine floral sprays, is expected to fetch £2,200-£2,600. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

As this year's auction features 100 lots of china, including a number of rare shapes and inscribed pieces, Mrs Sprake said: "A particularly interesting, unique beaker - or cachepot - is inscribed with the name Onley Harvey, 1798.

Lot 99 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - an 'extremely rare' blue and white beaker, 10.5cm high, inscribed ONLEY HARVEY 1798 is expected to fetch £2,500 to £2,800. Picture: Zoe SprakeLot 99 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - an 'extremely rare' blue and white beaker, 10.5cm high, inscribed ONLEY HARVEY 1798 is expected to fetch £2,500 to £2,800. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoe Sprake)

"Onley was the only son of Charles Onley, MP and Recorder for Norwich.

"He took the name Onley Savill Onley and inherited Sistead Hall."

It is expected to fetch between £2,500 to £2,800.

A "very rare, beautifully painted polychrome coffee pot" - with Chinese figures in a garden with a stag and a doe - is also set to feature, and is estimated to fetch £4,500-£5,000.

'Unusual'

Other items going under the hammer at the specialist sale is an "unusual piece" - a figure of a finely moulded female musician, standing on a base decorated with flowers.

Lot 90 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a 'very rare,' undecorated female lute or mandolin player, 18cm, is expected to fetch £1,100 to £1,200. Picture: Zoë SprakeLot 90 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a 'very rare,' undecorated female lute or mandolin player, 18cm, is expected to fetch £1,100 to £1,200. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

Although her mandolin is missing, it is "very rare" and expected to fetch £1,100-£1,200.

Lot 93 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a blue and white vase with cover, painted with tree, fence and flowers with loop and dot border, 16cm, is expected to fetch £1,850-£2,200. Picture: Zoë SprakeLot 93 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a blue and white vase with cover, painted with tree, fence and flowers with loop and dot border, 16cm, is expected to fetch £1,850-£2,200. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

Other shapes include a small feeding cup, a 7cm mug inscribed 'A Trifle from Lowestoft', a large jug with strainer lip and cover painted in pencil and gilt, a fine small polychrome vase and an elegant, slightly larger lidded vase painted in blue with a tree, fence and flowers.

Lot 97 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a small 7cm mug, inscribed A Trifle from LOWESTOFT is expected to fetch £1,850-£2,200. Picture: Zoë SprakeLot 97 in the Lowestoft Porcelain auction - a small 7cm mug, inscribed A Trifle from LOWESTOFT is expected to fetch £1,850-£2,200. Picture: Zoë Sprake (Image: Zoë Sprake)

Mrs Sprake added: "There is a good range of popular pieces in both blue and white and polychrome, including sparrowbeak jugs, leaf-shaped dishes, teabowls and saucers and teapots - including a small barrel-shaped teapot painted with the attractive Boy on a Bridge pattern."

For more information and the catalogue visit the auction website, or email Mrs Sprake at lowestoftchina@gmail.com