A chipped Coalport porcelain figurine, depicting the iconic Hyacinth Bucket character from the BBC show Keeping Up Appearances, has dramatically exceeded its estimated value at auction. Originally expected to fetch only £100, the limited-edition piece sold for an impressive £1,300, much to the surprise of collectors and bidders alike.
The figurine portrays a Victorian lady receiving tea from a maid and was one of 2,000 produced in 2000 to mark Coalport’s 250th anniversary. Despite some damage to a flower and a peach tree that separated from the base, the piece ignited a competitive bidding war at Hansons Auctioneers in Derby.
Charles Hanson, the auctioneer, highlighted the striking appeal of such limited-edition figures, urging owners to reconsider discarding or donating similar items. “This is a powerful reminder that inherited or overlooked collectibles, especially limited-edition figures like this, can unexpectedly generate significant value,” he said.
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Though most Coalport figurines typically sell for between £20 and £80, rarer, large-scale limited editions tend to command much higher prices. Coalport, founded in 1795 by John Rose in Shropshire, quickly became renowned for its exquisite bone china, hand-decorated florals, gilding, and elegant figurines. The brand achieved royal patronage and international fame by the 19th century, with its Ladies of Fashion collection gaining particular popularity in the 1980s.
The 250th Anniversary Heirloom figurine commemorated Coalport’s long-standing heritage in ceramic craftsmanship—an enduring legacy that clearly continues to captivate collectors today.