Stoneware pyrometer with pyrometric clay cylinders in a wooden box, by Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, c. 1800, one of a collection of specimens illustrating the manufacture of Wedgwood pottery from Etruria, Staffordshire, given by Josiah Wedgwood & Sons in 1856

One of a group of specimens of electric telegraph apparatus - a stoneware telegraph insulator with a wooden arm

One of a group of specimens of electric telegraph apparatus - a stoneware telegraph insulator, of an old form

Stoneware bowl, covered in a Klein blue glaze with resist decoration of banding and triangular forms: Turkish, by Alev Ebüzziya Siesbye, Paris, France, 1990

Vase of stoneware, one of a pair, with chrysanthemums, peonies and plum in enamel colours and gold, Awata ware: Japan, Kyoto, by Wake Kitei IV, 1868-74

Vase of stoneware, one of a pair, with chrysanthemums, peonies and plum in enamel colours and gold, Awata ware: Japan, Kyoto, by Wake Kitei IV, 1868-74

Saucer of decorated stoneware depicting Liu Hai (J: Gama Sennin) and his toad, flowers, and gilt ornament: Japan, Tokyo, Shiba, late 19th century

Stoneware figure of Hotei sleeping, his robe decorated with overglaze enamels, Awata ware: Japan, Kyoto

Stoneware figure of Hotei, Awata ware: Japan, Kyoto, 19th century

Fire-vessel (hi-ire) of buff stoneware, decorated with peonies in relief against blue, yellow and green enamels in moriage-de technique using kyaku-no-hana stencil: Japan, Kyoto, Awataguchi, by Gyozan, 19th century

Deep covered jar of buff stoneware, with a cream glaze, painted with green and blue foliage and a red oval badge: Japan, Izumo province

Cup of buff stoneware, with a green glaze with leafage painted in overglaze enamels, Awata ware: Japan, 1860-1875

Teabowl of stoneware, with a dark brown glaze: Japan, Kyoto, 19th century

Dish of stoneware with a green glaze, circular with curved ornamented sides, Gennai or Sanuki ware: Japan, early 19th century

Tea bowl of Soma stoneware with a speckled grey and brown glaze, and indented with Soma badge: Japan, Iwaki Province, Nagamura, 18th century

Teapot and cover of Shigaraki stoneware, globular body with broken enamel grey glaze, and pale ware cover surmounted by a kylin: Japan, Omi Province, Shigaraki, Nagano-mura, 18th century