Crossword Genius

Criminal bagging top-quality earthenware (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

faience

'earthenware' is the definition.
(I know that faience is a type of earthenware)

'criminal bagging top-quality' is the wordplay.
'criminal' becomes 'fence' (someone who handles stolen goods).
'bagging' means one lot of letters goes inside another (bag can mean to take or obtain).
'top quality' becomes 'ai' (resembles A1, informal term for top quality).
'fence' going around 'ai' is 'FAIENCE'.

(Other definitions for faience that I've seen before include "porcelain" , "A glazed earthenware" , "ceramic ware" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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