Top Hints
Always scrutinize
the wings of the bee. These are the most vulnerable part of the pot. Check
for chips, restoration, and in particular, re-glued wings.
Only be tempted
to buy such pots if they are cheap, or in your view only, exceptional.
'Ping' the base
with your fingers. You should hear a ringing sound. A thud, or muffled sound
should immediately arouse suspicion, there may well be cracks, not readily
visible to the eye.
Expect to pay
slightly more for pots that overlap with other collectors e.g. you may have
a Beswick collector after a honey pot purely because it is from that
pottery.
Check that the
pot has the correct lid. Lids are sometimes matched up with the wrong base,
whether on purpose or not. If you are unsure, go by instinct. Some slight
variation in glaze colour can be normal.
Always ask for
the best price. It is normal for dealers to give at least a 10% discount on
pots over £10.
As with all
antiques and collectables, paying by cash can often result in higher
discounts.
Make sure you
always get a receipt, and if a particularly collectable or expensive pot,
ensure these details are on it. If your Clarice Cliff turns out to be a
Chinese imitation, you could have redress with a detailed
receipt.
If your pots
contain honey, empty them as soon as possible. Honey can sometimes stain
them, and in my experience, leak from under the lid.
John Doyle
