ONE of the most notable collections of Lowestoft porcelain to come under the hammer for nearly 25 years is to be auctioned in Lowestoft this month.And one item, a jug made in 1776 at the peak of the factory's production, has the potential to break the record price paid for an item made there.

ONE of the most notable collections of Lowestoft porcelain to come under the hammer for nearly 25 years is to be auctioned in Lowestoft this month.

And one item, a jug made in 1776 at the peak of the factory's production, has the potential to break the record price paid for an item made there.

Lowestoft auctioneer Russell Sprake, an expert in the ware, is selling the collection of Peter Scully, from Ipswich, who died this year. It comprises 35 items, with the jug the prize piece.

The catalogue gives an estimated price of £12,000 to £14,000, but Mr Sprake believes it could challenge the record of £18,000 on the day.

It is a rare specimen with lip spout and scroll handle, painted with tulip, rose and flower sprays by the factory's tulip painter, and inscribed C E Heaman 1776 in a heart-shaped cartouche.

Originally from the Ruben Levine collection, it was sold by Sotheby's in 1925, 1938 and 1948.

“It has the potential to reach a record price for a piece of Lowestoft porcelain,” said Mr Sprake.

He added that selling the Scully collection was the most exciting sale he had had in his 40 years of auctioneering - he joined Notley's at Lowestoft in 1968, branching out on his own 11 years later. “It is the sort of collection that appears once every 20 to 25 years,” he said.

However, he thought it sad that the sale would see the break-up of such a high-quality collection which as a whole could be worth £100,000.

The auction contains other fine items, which are expected to fetch good prices at the auction at the Beaconsfield Club.

They include a fine blue and white coffee pot with high-domed cover featuring a river island scene, dated 1772 (estimate £2,500-£3,000), a rare chamber stick with fine honeysuckle moulding (estimate £8,000-£10,000), a blue and white veilleuse with two mask heads (est £4,000-£5,000), a rare blue and white pounce pot (est £3,500-£4,000), a bell-shaped blue and white mug with the inscription James Crick, Shottisham, 1773 (est £5,000-£6,000), and a cylindrical blue and white mug inscribed Robert Howes 1776 (est £3,000-£3,500). Several others should fetch more than £3,000 each.

There will be 20 “warm-up” lots at the sale, being held on Wednesday, October 17, before the Scully collection comes up. Viewing will be from 2-7pm, with the auction starting at 7pm.