An art dealer in New Zealand predicts demand will remain strong for high-end Royal Doulton pieces, even the company is in serious financial troubles.
Waterford Wedgwood in Ireland has appointed a receiver and two of Britain's best-known china makers, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton, are in administration.
The director of the company Art and Object, Ross Millar, who has a 30-year involvement with decorative arts, says New Zealand is one of the largest buyers per capita of new Royal Doulton pieces.
While the market for commercially produced Royal Doulton pieces is diminishing, Mr Millar says he expects demand for early hand-painted pieces to remain very strong.
Mr Millar says there was a lot of international interest in an auction of Royal Doulton pieces held in Auckland last month. A Royal Doulton Sung bowl decorated with ducks by Arthur Eaton sold to an international buyer for $21,500. The catalogue estimate was $6,000-$9,000.
Heavy debt
Waterford Wedgwood intends to continue trading while a buyer is found.
Wedgwood was founded 250 years ago, but its shares have been in steady decline since 2001. The company's net debt was 448.9 million euros ($US625.1 million) in October.
