Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art: Ceramics (81)

A very fine Chinese export porcelain basin with decoration in the Rose Medallion style. The interior bottom of the basin is divided into four quadrants, with alternating floral and courtyard scenes. The interior walls are likewise decorated. The everted rim is dcorated with floral reserves punctuating an allover floral pattern against a gilt background. The outer walls are decorated with simple sprays of peonies that echo the interior decoration. The quality of painting is quite nice and the colors are well-chosen. The rim is finished with a gilt band.

Origin: China, ca. 1865. Condition: excellent, only the slightest of wear to the gilding along the rim, no chips or cracks. Size: 16" diameter; 5" high.

Extremely rare relief-molded jug by the Sandford Pottery in Wareham, Dorset. This jug was designed to honor the contributions of volunteers during the Crimean War (1853-56). The sides of the jug are decorated with a procession of a soldier, a sailor, a marine and a Scots Highlander. Under the lip is a representation of a young Queen Victoria. Above the foot is impressed "Our Army & Navy & Brave Volunteers". The coloring is very rich and the majolica glaze very deep and glossy. The design was registered on September 28, 1860. Sandford Pottery was a small firm and only produced three relief-molded jugs. The jug is listed in "Relief-Moulded Jugs: 1820-1900" by R.K. Henrywood.

Origin: England, circa 1860. Condition: excellent, no chips, or cracks. Size: 10-5/8" tall.

An extraordinary blue and white Chinese export porcelain beaker-form jardinière raised on feet. The quality of the painted decoration makes this one of the finest examples of 19th century Canton we’ve seen. The entire pot is heavily decorated in a naturalistic array of peonies, cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums. The upper border has a beautiful scalloped pattern while the lip is decorated in a traditional Greek key-type design. Perhaps the finest decorative element, however, are the feet—wonderfully shaped as fat sparrows with their wings outstretched. The detailing of the plumage is really lovely. The sparrows’ heads extend past the bottom of the jardinière to lift it off the surface. The inside bottom has the original hole which could be plugged with a cork to regulate drainage. Potting an item of this size was difficult, and there is a line around the inside bottom edge where the bottom pulled away from the sides a bit in kiln. The bottom also has a hairline that extends around 1/3 of the bottom edge. The hairline is stable and the jardiniere is perfectly usable. Considering the rarity of the form and the superior quality of the decoration, these are really rather minor distractions.

Origin: Southern China, ca. 1820. Condition: good. Size: 10-3/8” tall; 9-1/2” diameter at top.

A very fine Chinese export porcelain sauce tureen with blue decoration in the Fitzhugh pattern. The oval body is finely potted with intertwined twig handles and applied berries where they join the body. The lid has floral finial. The quality and detail of decoration suggests a date in the early part of the 19th century. The glaze has a slight bluish cast.

Origin: China, ca. 1810. Condition: excellent, no chips, the inside of the lid has a hairline not visible from the outside, no restoration. Size: 8” x 5-1/4” x 6” tall.

A delightful and very rare Staffordshire ironstone puzzle jug by Elsmore & Forster. The sides are decorated with colorful scenes of a cockfight below the lip, while the sides feature large images of the famed circus clown “Cashmore”. The foot, rim and handle are highlighted with red stripes. The interior has a hidden siphon system that causes the contents to spill when the jug is tipped, unless the pourer covers the small air hole on the inside of the handle. The base is marked with Elsmore & Forster’s underglaze stamp.

Origin: England, ca. 1860. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 8-7/8” tall.

Elegant pair of Chinese export porcelain soup plates decorated with a floral scene in the famille rose palette. Pheasants, beetles and butterflies are scattered among the pink peonies, orange pomegranates and blue-green bamboo stalks. The rim is decorated with a striking band of blue and gold strapwork in the Persian taste. The contrast of the restrained formal border pattern against the exuberant naturalistic design of the bowl is striking.

Origin: China, ca. 1800. Condition: no chips or cracks, normal moderate wear to gilding. Size: 9-3/4” diameter.

A very rare set of four earthenware plates by Choisy-le-Roi depicting architectural landmarks in Paris during the Empire period. Three of the plates depict theatres--a very popular pasttime for the upper classes during the Directorate, Consulate and Empire periods. One scene is entitled "Théâtre de l'Impératrive" and shows the theatre now know as l'Odéon. Another is entitled "Théâtre Italien" and a third is entitled "Théâtre Feydeau"--both of which were noted for operatic performances and both of which played important political roles during the Napoleonic era. The fourth plate depicts "La Bourse de Paris", another one of the architectural landmarks left behind by Napoleon. The twelve-sided plates are bordered with an impressed laurel wreath pattern highlighted with brownish-black lines. These are among the most interesting of the Choisy plates from this era. The backs have impressed Choisy marks.

Origin: France, ca. 1815. Condition: excellent, no cracks or chips, very light knife wear to glaze. Size: 8-5/16" diameter.

Very nice Staffordshire transferware plate in the “Lion” pattern from the “Quadruped” series by Hall. The plate is very finely decorated in underglaze blue with four reserves depicting zebras, goats, deer and horses, surrounding a central reserve depicting a lion. Unmarked.

Origin: England, 1820-30. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, light discoloration on back (easily removed). Size: 10” diameter.

Rare large ironstone platter in the Imari taste with a cobalt blue border by G.L. Ashworth, the successor to Mason’s. The platter’s rim is unusually decorated with reserves showing Japanese ladies with parasols and floral elements surrounded by gilding. The central design shows an Asian-themed still life including peonies, lotus blossoms, pagodas, etc. The back is printed with Ashworth’s mark, is impressed “Real Ironstone China”, and has a decorator’s mark.

Origin: England, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent; no chips, cracks or discoloration; light wear to gilding along edges. Size: 15-7/8” x 12-5/8”.

A wonderful Staffordshire pottery cow creamer standing on a oval base. The cow is decorated with rust spots on the white background and the horns are gilt. The oval base is decorated as a grassy outcropping. Cow creamers were very popular in the early 19th century and were produced by a number of potters in Staffodshire, Wales and southern Scotland. This example is from the Staffordshire region.

Origin: England, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, no damage. Size: 6-3/8" x 3" x 4-3/4".

A very nice pair of Staffordshire spaniels highlighted with gilt decoration. Each dog wears a collar with a padlock and a chain. The muzzles are decorated with pink and black overglaze enamel, and the eyes are set with glass eyes. Both have the whimsical "Joan Crawford" eyebrows. Spaniels with glass eyes, although a bit later than some of the other Staffordshire figures, are difficult to find.

Origin: England, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, no damage, one dog has a slightly open seam on top of the ear that is original to the making. Size: 8-1/2" x 3-1/4" x 9" tall.

Extremely rare early Staffordshire pearlware pot decorated with three hand-colored transfer prints of King William III at the Battle of the Boyne. This was one of the earliest of the Staffordshire transfer patterns celebrating the Kings and Queens of England. This design is sometimes captioned "No Surrender" and depicts King William defeating the ousted James II and the French troops who were trying to restore England to Catholic control. This form, either a waste bowl or a flower pot is also quite uncommon. The top and bottom rims are decorated with molded beading highlighted wtih gilding.

Origin: England, ca. 1830. Condition: excellent, staining to the interior, bright colors. Size: 5-3/8" diameter at top; 3-5/16" high.

Lovely porcelain figure of a billy goat standing on a pad decorated with flowers and foliage. The pad has a slightly impressed decoration on the front and gilt lines at the edges. A gold anchor mark is painted on the back of the base.

Origin: England, 1756-69. Condition: mint, except a tiny flake on the bottom of the pad base. Size: 1-3/8" x 2-1/8" x 2-1/4" tall. The anchor mark is just under 1/4" tall.

Gorgeous Qing Dynasty Chinese export porcelain vase with Rose Medallion enameled decoration. The body has a beautiful white color and intricate painted decoration of peonies, quince fruit, waterlilies, butterflies and birds. The foot, rim and shoulder are decorated with enameled flowers against a gilt background. The shoulder border is punctuated with reserves framing peony blossoms.

Origin: China, circa 1850.

Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, normal wear to gilding, a tiny bit of wear to some of the enamels.

Size: 10" tall; 4" wide at shoulder; 3-1/8" wide at mouth.

Superb early hinged porcelain box with gilt brass trim. The top of the box is painted with a colorful scene of a pheasant in a pastoral setting with foliage, pink flowers and a lake. The bottom half of the box is painted in a coordinating pattern. Boxes such as this were used to hold small candies called “bonbons”. The best of the boxes were made in France, both in Limoges and in the area around Paris, from the middle of the 18th century.

Origin: France, ca 1840. Condition: excellent, no cracks or chips. Size: 3-1/2” x 2-3/4” x 2-1/4” high.

Rare Staffordshire spaniel head bank. The spaniel is highlighed with copper lustre spots and a copper luster neck chain/padlock.

Origin: England, last quarter 19th century. Condition: Mint, except for 3/8" flake on the bottom of the foot rim (not visible from the top or side); appropriate glaze crazing for the age. Size: 4-1/4" tall.

A wonderful Victorian ironstone footed fruit compote decorated in an underglaze blue floral pattern. Distinctly Asian in flavor, the pattern depicts prunus blossoms and peonies surrounded by rocky outcroppings, foliage and hovering butterflies. The edges are finished in a diaper border. Either end has a leafy handle, heavily accented with gilding similar in style to that found on Old Paris porcelains. The overall shape and use of gilding suggests an early date. The bottom is marked with F. Morley & Co.’s underglaze stamp.

Origin: England, ca. 1845. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, there are three small glaze misses near the upper rim, original gilding intact. Size: 12-1/2” x 9” x 5-5/8” tall.

Fantastic pottery double-handled urn decorated in an underglaze blue floral transfer and clobbered with overglaze iron red, yellow and purple pigments. The effect is much like chintz china, but with stronger coloring. The bottom bears the mark used by Cauldon Potteries from 1905 to 1920. The form and size of this vase, combined with its rich coloring, makes for a truly stunning piece of Staffordshire pottery.

Origin: Staffordshire, England, circa 1913. Condition: mint. Size: 13-1/4” tall.

Very good Staffordshire pottery inkwell in the form of a country cottage beside a tree populated by a mother bird and her nest of young. A Dalmatian watches the birds from the ground. The cushion base is accented with a gilt line.

Origin: England, circa 1860. Condition: very good, normal glaze crazing; some ink discoloration to base, no chips or cracks. Size: 4-7/8" x 2-1/16" x 4-3/4" tall.

A lovely Chinese export porcelain plate, the center decorated with a court scene depicting nobles welcoming a visitor bearing a staff and basket of fruit. The scene is very nicely enameled in the famille rose palette. The border is decorated in a trellis pattern in green enamels—a most unusual treatment for a Mandarin plate. The inner and outer borders are highlighted with gilding.

Origin: China, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, two exceedingly tight hairlines (perhaps limited to only the glaze) visible only on the back. Size: 10” diameter; 1-3/16” deep.

Very fine early Staffordshire child's cup decorated with a pair of colorful roosters. The design was hand-colored over a rudimentary sepia-colored transfer. The pearlware glaze has a wonderful lustre. The bottom edge of the cup is decorated with a molded border.

Origin: England, ca. 1830. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, light glaze crazing in interior bottom. Size: 2-7/8" tall; 3-1/8" diameter excluding handle.

Very good Staffordshire figural group portraying a young man and woman in a garden. He holds a floral wreath while she holds a potted rosebush. The decorative painting is very nice, especially the facial details.

Origin, Staffordshire, England, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent; no chips or cracks, gilding intact. Size: 7" tall.

Figural majolica tobacco humidor in the form of a ball player. The piece is decorated in beautiful, rich colors under the shiny tin glaze. The base is impressed "10830II" and is also painted with the decorator's mark.

Origin: Continental, probably the Low Countries, France or Germany, ca. 1900. Condition: Mint. Size: 6" tall.

Very rare Staffordshire figural inkwell in the form of two birds nesting amongst flowers. A beautifully modeled and painted tulip stands upright between the birds. It is possible that the tulip was intended as a candlestick, because the quill holders are in the base near the birds' tails. Origin: England, ca. 1870. Size: 2-3/4" diameter; 3" tall. Condition: excellent, no damage or repairs.

A nice stoneware ewer in an unusual form by Doulton Lambeth. The bulbous body is decorated with raised flowers and foliage against a cobalt blue ground, while the foot and long tapering neck are finished in a simple pattern of incised rings highlighted with chocolate brown borders. The inside of the foot is stamped with the mark used 1891-1902 and also with the artist's mark which appears to be a conjoined "JH", "HL" or possibly just an ornate "H". There is also an assistant's mark, "b".

Origin: England, ca. 1895. Condition: no chips or cracks. Size: 11-5/8" tall.

A delightful Bennington-type yellowware cow creamer with mottled brown glaze. The cow stands on a concave oval base. This example is more nicely potted than some, with good detailing in the ribcage area and a quirky facial expression. These creamers were made in both America and England, but the style of modelling suggests this is an American example. The tail has been reglued nicely, and a professional restorer could make the repair completely invisible.

Origin: America or England, ca. 1840. Condition: mint aside from the tail. Size: 6-7/8" x 3" x 5-3/8".

Rare pair of Staffordshire earthenware figurines of whippets. Each dog poses over a rabbit he has brought to the master of the hunt. The cushion bases are decorated with a simple gilt line.

Origin: England, circa 1850. Condition: excellent, a tiny bit of glaze roughness on the tip of one nose, blacklight examination indicates no repairs or repainting. Size: 3-7/8" tall.

Fabulous hard paste porcelain inkwell in the form of a lady's head. Nicely decorated in overglaze enamels with gilt accents. 19th century. Origin: Probably France. Size: 2-5/16" tall. Condition: Mint.

Superb Staffordshire figural group/spill vase portraying a hunter and his lady. The hunter has his rifle, while the lady as his catch in her lap. Beautifully decorated in bright colors, this grouping is as fine as one is likely to see. Origin: England, mid-19th century. Size: 7-5/8" tall; 4-1/4" wide; 2" deep. Condition: excellent, no damage or repairs.

Outstanding majolica pitcher in the form of an owl. Modeled by the George Morley Co., this pattern is an icon of American majolica production. The colors are very nice, including the medium-pink interior. Unsigned.

Origin: American, 1884-91. Condition: sharp details, no chips, a hairline running along the back of the pitcher from near the top of the handle to the base, note that the dark areas that look like chips on the base are actually the remnants of adhesive used to hold on old felt pads. Size: 9" tall.

Extraordinary majolica tile raised on bun feet. The tile features a sinuous painted Art Nouveau design of elegant swans swimming in a river with a cityscape beyond, surrounded by a border of bamboo. The design has a distinctly impressionist look that brings to mind some of the Rookwood vellum patterns. The bottom is impressed "66" and has an illegibly impressed maker's mark.

Origin: European, circa 1880. Condition: superficial glaze scratching from normal wear; glaze crazing only on the underneath side. Size: 9.25" square; 1.5" high.

A nice Staffordshire inkwell or quill holder in the form of a recumbent deer. The naive painted decoration almost makes it look as if she's wearing a little black hat. The doe is posed on a white base molded as a rocky outcropping. The base is highlighted with a burnished gilt line.

Origin: England, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, no damage. Size: 4-3/4" x 2" x 4".

Extremely rare dessert plate featuring transfer decoration commemorating Napoleon’s great victory in the Battle of Friedland. The center decoration is printed in color and the rim is hand colored over a black transfer of crowned “N”s encircled by laurel wreaths and military decorations, alternating with escutcheons with the Emperor’s signature hat and sword. The back of the plate is stamped with the maker’s mark for Boch Freres of La Louviere, Belgium. The monarchy was in and out of favor frequently during the 19th century. Few Napoleon plates survived the period.

Origin: Belgium, late 19th century. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 8-1/8” diameter.

Very rare Staffordshire pottery child's plate with an ABC rim surrounding a hand-colored transfer print of a railroad steam engine emerging from a tunnel. The plate is very colorful and is highly desirable because of the train decoration.

Origin: Staffordshire, England, ca 1895. Condition: very good, two very tight hairlines about 1" long, a couple of potting and painting flaws. Size: 7-1/2" diameter.

This rare Canton covered oval dish (unfortunately, minus its cover) is the finest quality Canton wear, with excellent, crisp underglaze blue decoration. The sides are decorated with floral sprays.

Origin: Canton, China, ca. 1825. Condition: excellent; glaze rubs on the edges; one small glaze bite on the underside of the rim. Size: 9.75" x 8" x 2.25".

A lovely Staffordshire pottery inkwell and quill holder in the form of a swan. The wings are painted vivid shades of pink with black and gilt accents. The bird rests on a colorful "confetti" nest. The hole in the swan's back served as the inkwell, while the two holes in the front were to hold quills. This swan is a particularly colorful example.

Origin: England, ca. 1840. Condition: excellent, no damage. Size: 3" x 2" x 3-1/4".