The personal collection of celebrated Dorset potter Richard Batterham exceeds expectations at auction

The collection of one of Dorset’s best-loved potters has doubled expectations at auction to sell for just under £120,000.

The personal collection of Richard Batterham included his own works as well as those by friends including Bernard Leach, Shoji Hamada and John Maltby. The 236 lots came up for sale at Woolley and Wallis in Salisbury on March 23, where specialist Michael Jeffery has been selling Batterham’s work for the last 20 years.

“Richard Batterham was very highly regarded by his contemporaries and is often referred to as ‘the potters’ potter’,” Michael Jeffery commented. “The exceptional results that were achieved demonstrate the popularity of both the man and his work.”

Batterham’s first introduction to clay was at the age of 13 while at Bryanston School near Blandford Forum. He set up his own pottery in Dorset in 1959, where he continued to produce stoneware for the next seven decades, counting Sir David Attenborough and Nigel Slater among the collectors of his work.

Many of Batterham’s own pots included in the auction had previously featured in the retrospective exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, which had followed his death in 2021. Highlights included a large beer jar and cover in an ash glaze that realised £4,375; a large fruit dish with a black rim at £3,500; and a tall stoneware bottle vase, also at £3,500.

“It was Richard’s wish that his collection would be passed on to private collectors who appreciated studio pottery,” said Michael Jeffery. “After speaking to many of the buyers, and with only one piece left unsold, there is little doubt that his wish has been granted. This auction was arguably the last chance for collectors to acquire a piece of his work direct from his pottery and they have responded accordingly.”

The sale of the collection concluded with a premium-inclusive total of £118,388.