The Fishley Collection pottery auction at Chilcotts

There’s evidence of earthenware being made in North Devon in the 17th century and even earlier - but it was the Fishley pottery at Fremington, founded by George Fishley in the early 1800s, that helped kick-start the region’s tradition of decorative earthenware as well as functional wares.

Fishley’s Fremington Pottery had access to two clays - Combrew clay from the family farm to use for throwing and a fine white clay used for the decorative element. The application of this second clay gave rise to the style of pottery known as slipware. This, along with sgrafitto work, is a style the Fishley potters are particularly well known for.

Mary's favourite: early 19th century hand-built pedestal bowl attributed to George Fishley (Image: Andrew Butler) George’s grandson Edwin Beer Fishley took over the running of the family’s pottery in the mid-1860s. He was a great innovator, discovering new lead glaze recipes which were envied by the nearby, much larger Barnstaple Art Pottery. The owner, CH Brannam, tried to acquire these secret recipes, but failed.

Edwin’s work had a huge influence on the later Studio Pottery movement, including Bernard Leach and Japanese artist, Hamada Shoji. Leach was known to refer to him as ‘the last peasant potter’. Although this wasn’t strictly true as there were other rural potters working at the same time, these contemporary potters regarded Edwin Beer Fishley as the genuine voice of an important, once vibrant tradition.

Fremington Pottery vase in the Arts and Crafts style by Edwin Beer Fishley, beautifully decorated with a flying bird amongst flora in slipware and sgraffito, with a lustrous glaze. (Image: Andrew Butler) The Fishley pottery tradition has continued through the generations and marriages for over 200 years, including William ‘Willie’ Fishley Holland and the most recent potters from the family, George Tonkin Holland and Isabel Annie Holland.

William built his pottery at Braunton in 1913, basing the design of the kiln on the one at Fremington. Renowned potter Michael Cardew visited William at his pottery and took throwing lessons from him. Cardew was another whose work was influenced by the Fishley pottery tradition; he went on to become considered as the modern potter who was most successful in revitalising the British slipware tradition.

Fremington Pottery Royal commemorative mug, celebrating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, by Edwin Beer Fishley. (Image: Andrew Butler) Although relatively rare, some fine examples of Fishley pottery are still in existence, and one collector in particular has gathered together a large and comprehensive collection over many decades.

Margaret Squance lives in Braunton, and is the great, great-granddaughter of Edwin Beer Fishley. She says her interest in her family’s heritage was sparked by childhood visits to her great uncle William, who, at that time, was working out of a pottery in Clevedon: 'He used to give me miniature pots and jugs which I thought nothing of. Then one day I went to Bristol and saw them for sale at a market, and I got the bug!'

Clevedon Pottery charger by William Fishley Holland decorated in slip with a mermaid within lattice work border. (Image: Andrew Butler) Margaret has had a passion for collecting Fishley pottery since then. It has brought her many joyful experiences, including meeting well-known contemporary potters and TV personalities from the Antiques Roadshow, all fascinated to learn more about the extensive work of her ancestors. She was also involved in the writing of a book, The Fishleys of Fremington by John Edgeler, who drew on her support to put the history together.

For Margaret, the family connection plus her passion and enthusiasm for her heritage have always been important. She says: 'I’ve learnt so much, and met such lovely people, Fishley Pottery has been an exciting part of my life!'

Fremington Pottery twin-handled vase by Edwin Beer Fishley decorated in slipware and sgraffito, with depictions of classical figures, including Pegasus, within a vine leaf border and flanked by stylised fish scroll handles. (Image: Andrew Butler) However, after a great deal of thought, she has decided the time is right to sell much of her collection, in part to give others the chance to share her love for this very distinctive style of pottery.

Chilcotts Auctioneers in Honiton will auction the Fishley collection in October. They are great admirers of the craft, as auctioneer and cataloguer, Mary Chilcott explains: 'We’re thrilled and honoured to be handling the sale of this marvellous collection. Seeing so many examples of Fishley pottery from different eras together in one place gives a real sense of the scale of the family’s work. For a small North Devon pottery working in the shadows of the more renowned kilns of Bideford and Barnstaple, they paved the way for later independent studio potters.'

Mary's favourite: early 19th century hand-built pedestal bowl attributed to George Fishley (Image: Andrew Butler) One of Mary’s favourites is a very early example that the family have always attributed to George Fishley. The 19th century pedestal bowl is hand-built, rather than thrown, naively decorated and flanked with mask handles, raised on crimped edge base. 'It’s a beautiful example - the decoration would have been achieved by pressing fresh leaves into the still wet body of the jug and the leaves burnt away during the firing process.'

The items at auction include over 50 pieces from several generations of the Fishley family. These range from classical and biblical subjects, art pottery and harvest jugs, to standard ware and made-to-order pieces; some of the larger vases may well have been test pieces. There are several quirky pieces, such as a ‘puzzle jug’ and a pair of frog flower holders. Overall, these pieces are in good condition commensurate with their age.

The auction takes place on October 12 at Chilcotts’ Dolphin Salerooms, High Street, Honiton. Viewing will be available from October 5. chilcottsauctions.co.uk