Many of us may have fond memories of homes filled with vases adorned with koalas and kangaroos, all taking centre stage on the gingham tablecloth. And truly, what could be more Australian than a shelf lined with ceramics encrusted with such motifs?

While some still see these distinctive designs as kitsch, others see the value both in a monetary and cultural sense. What might have once cost a few shillings in the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s is now worth serious dosh – even for the mass-produced ceramics.

Some names such as Arthur Merric Bloomfield Boyd and his father Merric Boyd are highly collectable. A large bowl by Arthur, circa 1952, sold at Gibson’s for $7000 (plus buyer’s premium). It features a larrikin-like figure hastily riding a bike.

Other less well-known ceramicists, such as Marguer

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