POTTERY from some of the region's most famous names is to go under the hammer.

Hundreds of rare pieces made by Moorcroft, Wedgwood, Doulton, Minton and Clarice Cliff, and worth up to £780,000, are included in three sales at Bonham's auction house in New Bond Street, London, later this month.

Tomorrow, Wedgwood, Longton Hall and Minton ceramics worth up to £90,300 will be auctioned off, including a rare 1875 Minton majolica fish dish which could make up to £30,000.

Ceramics cataloguer Beth Attwood said: "We have got some quite significant pieces in this sale. The Minton dish is very rare – we can't find another one like it, so it's likely only a few were made.

"There are lots of other majolica pieces which are quite fun – they're very colourful and decorative. We've had lots of interest in the sale so far."

On September 23, the auction house will host a sale of British ceramic design from 1860, including a collection of more than 100 tea cups by one of Stoke-on-Trent's best-loved designers, Clarice Cliff, which could be worth up to £25,000.

It is thought to be the largest collection of the teacups ever to have come up for sale.

The cups, which will be sold individually, are estimated to be worth between £100 and £600 each. They are being sold by an unnamed collector, thought to be Midlands-based, who built up the collection over 20 years.

Natalie Evison, specialist in decorative arts, said: "Clarice Cliff was a pioneer in her work – her fresh and innovative designs were well ahead of their time during the 1920s and 30s.

"Her designs have steadily increased in value since her death in 1972. These highly sought-after pieces are perhaps only set to grow in value, so this is possibly the perfect time to buy."

Clarice Cliff began producing her hand-painted pottery in 1917 and she is regarded as one of the most influential ceramic artists of the 20th century.

The sale will also include Minton, Wedgwood and Doulton vases as well as hundreds of Doulton figures, with the pieces from famous Potteries names estimated at up to £458,750.

The sale continues on September 24 with more than 200 Moorcroft pieces built up by the Bracewell family, who were originally from Manchester.

The collection, which could be worth up to £234,240, is being sold off according to Peter Bracewell's will, with the proceeds going to Manchester Grammar School.

Mark Oliver, head of the decorative arts department, said: "Peter Bracewell's mother and father were Moorcroft collectors.

"There's a very impressive vase made by William Moorcroft for the 1924 British Empire Exhibition. It's special because it's very rare to have a Moorcroft piece marked as made for the exhibition."