A collection of North Devon pottery has fetched twice its estimated value at auction.

The collection, which spanned several generations of the Fishley family of potters, was sold by Chilcotts Auctioneers at their most recent Ceramics & Glass, Pictures & Works of Art; Good Antiques & 20th Century Design auction.

The more than 80 items amassed a total of £16,655, despite having an estimated value of £8,000.

It included some of the earliest Fishley Pottery pieces from the early 1800s, alongside contemporary works by Barnstaple potter Harry Juniper.

The standout piece was an eight-inch Arts & Crafts style vase by Edwin Beer Fishley, which was estimated to sell for between £200 and £300 but went under the hammer for £1,700, including buyers premium.

(Image: Chilcotts Auctioneers) The auction attracted a large number of bidders, both in person and online, with many buyers hailing from North Devon.

Several were distant relatives of the Fishley family.

Vendor Margaret Squance, a descendant of the Fishley dynasty, was thrilled with the interest in the auction.

She had visited the Dolphin Sale Room prior to the auction to view the displays of the pottery, and was delighted that many items would remain in North Devon, where she still lives.

Auctioneer Duncan Chilcott said: "We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to sell this really extraordinary collection of pottery created only 50 miles from our auction house.

"We knew it was special, but even so the amount of interest was astounding.

"There is clearly lots of affection for this style of Devon folk art."

The auction was well-publicised, with articles in specialist auction and local magazines, local press, and a feature on BBC Spotlight presented by Johnny Mercer.

Chilcotts has built a strong reputation for successful sales of studio pottery.

Mary Chilcott, who catalogued the Fishley collection, is currently studying History of Art at the University of Bristol and is writing her dissertation on studio pottery.