A RARE Worcester porcelain vase, the largest ever made of its type and a set of equally rare and precious candlesticks, will go one show to the public for the first time ever at a new exhibition celebrating England’s porcelain past.

The vase made in 1820 and measuring 56cms (just over 22 inches) is the largest ever produced by the world famous Worcester Flight & Barr factory and carries the signature of its foremost artist Samuel Astles.

It will make its first ever appearance in public - taking star billing - and will sit alongside two extremely rare candlesticks (only around six were ever made by the Flight & Barr factory) in the new special exhibition organised by the English Ceramic Circle (ECC).

It is part of the Antiques For Everyone Spring Fair, the UK’s largest vetted antiques and interiors fair outside London, taking place at the NEC in Birmingham from Thursday April 6 to Sunday April 9.

The Flight, Barr & Barr candlesticks were produced in around 1805 and take their design inspiration from a European fervour in the decorative arts for all things Egyptian developed at that time through Napoleon’s expedition to Egypt in 1798-1801.

This Egyptian influence is highlighted on the candlesticks through an ornate gilded sphinx with a sconce on its back, set on a rectangular base of finely painted flowers between capital columns.

The finest English porcelain ever made was produced at the Worcester Flight & Barr factory, which operated from 1783 to 1840 by two families the Flights and the Barrs.

Other pieces featured in the exhibition include astonishing feats of porcelain portraiture such as Mirza Abul Hassan, the Persian Ambassador to Great Britain made around 1810, and the exquisite armorial plate made for the Nabod of Oude in 1815.

Charles Dawson, president of the English Ceramic Circle, was born and brought up in Worcester and loves the Worcester factory wares.

He said: “The English Ceramic Circle is delighted to be presenting this special exhibition - ‘Ceramics through the Ages (1640-1970)’ at the spring fair, using ceramics selected from our members’ own collections.

“The exhibits range will feature some impressive wares made at the Flight & Barr factory and I will be giving a talk entitled ‘250 years at the Worcester Porcelain factory’, looking at its influence on ceramics through the ages.

“As well as the Worcester porcelain there will also be diverse British ceramic items from the Chelsea Porcelain Factory (c. 1760) right through to Lucy Rie (c.1930), the renowned modernist potter.”

Philippa Tinsley, consultant curator at the Museum of Royal Worcester, said: “It's always fascinating to see a piece of Worcester porcelain that's previously been hidden away in a private collection.

“This is a very special vase - both an impressive size and displaying the skill of the painter Samuel Astles. There are only a small number of signed pieces from Astles, who worked at the factory for over 25 years.

“His exquisite layers of enamels are a pleasure to admire up close on his work represented in the Museum of Royal Worcester collection and rare other examples like this one."

Founded in 1927, the English Ceramic Circle (ECC) specialises in the study of British ceramics and between them its members display an astonishing array of knowledge along with a relentless thirst to learn even more about their specialist subject.

This impressive body includes a varied ensemble of collectors, curators, archaeologists, potters, auctioneers, dealers and social historians brought together by the common denominator of a passion for the history of ‘Made in Britain’ ceramics.

Among the exhibits are four rare stoneware pieces by Lucie Rie, an Austrian studio potter who fled the Nazi regime in Vienna to come to London.

A modernist - famous for her brightly-coloured, delicate pots made of stoneware or porcelain - she was unafraid to take risks and experimented with a wide spectrum of colours.

Her glazes ranged from the super smooth to volcanic textures, with simple abstract patterns, using sgraffito (lines scratched in to the glaze) or inlay, as decoration.

Mary Claire Boyd, Antiques for Everyone’s director, said: “We feel privileged to have the English Ceramic Circle joining us this spring. The circle does so much to preserve and celebrate the fascinating history of British ceramics.

“Staging this exhibition at Antiques for Everyone will provide an excellent opportunity to explain its work and role to the wider public.”

As well as seeing the artefacts themselves, members of the English Ceramics Circle will be bringing them to life through a series of talks at the fair: Mr Dawson, is going to be talking about "250 years at the Worcester Porcelain Factory,” James Sewell will speak on "Orchid Mania on Ceramics," while Jonathan Gray will talk about the "Wonderful Welsh - Pottery and Porcelain of South Wales."

For more information visit: www.antiquesforeveryone.co.uk

Aside from the ECC exhibition, the spring fair is known for its ceramics. Among the many dedicated pottery and porcelain dealers will be Roger de Ville with early English pottery; John Newton Antiques with German studio pottery, and porcelain dealers Drove House Antiques, Bac to Basics, Bottlebrook Antiques and Julian Eade.

Andrew Muir shows a superb range of Clarice Cliff and 20th century pieces including Moorcroft pottery. Exhibits are vetted by specialist panels of experts for date and condition to ensure all items for sale are correctly labelled and collectors can buy with confidence.

Antiques for Everyone, is the UK’s largest vetted antiques & interiors fair outside London. Exhibits are vetted by specialist panels of experts for date and condition to ensure all items for sale are correctly labelled so collectors can buy with confidence.