15th Century and Earlier Centerpieces

Porous ceramic chess and checkers set with pieces. This simple game would make a lovely, light-hearted yet sophisticated gift. Ceramic is very delica...

A sublime Chinese celadon glazed shallow dish or charger, Qing Dynasty, mid 18th century, China. Beautifully glazed, with a carved decoration of a group of lotus, leaves, stalks and blossoms. The interior wall with radiating S-shaped lines, a motif that is repeated on the wide rim of the dish. The back undecorated. Glazed all-over with an even bright celadon glaze, with some attractive areas of crackle. Ex. Butterfield's, San Francisco. Plate stand for display...

This is a very good 19th century Chinese Export, (Canton) deep plate or dish, which we date to the early 19th century, circa 1820 of the Qing dynasty. The plate has a light green,...

This is a very good Chinese Export, (Canton) large porcelain plate or dish, all hand painted with a light green celadon glaze, which we date to the early 19th century, circa 1820, of the Qing dynasty. A feature of this plate is its size, having a large dinner plate diameter of nearly 10 inches, as the majority of plates of this type have a much smaller diameter . The plate has a light green, Celadon ground glaze with beautifully hand painted decoration, in over-glaze poly-chrome enamels of the Famille-Rose palette, featuring a bird, butterflies, fruits and flowers. The rim is hand painted in a café-au-lait light brown finish. There is an under-glaze, cobalt blue square seal mark, hand painted to the base. Overall a very good large example of a beautiful Chinese hand painted plate...

Richard Ginori 1940s white ceramic Shells centrepiece.

This is a very old interesting Chinese stoneware Longquan Celadon bowl or plate with incised decoration, which we date to the Yuan Dynasty, circa 1300. The bowl is well potted on a low foot.  The bowl is an olive green colour having a celadon glaze with incised decoration to its centre of what looks like a flower stem and additionally three incised string lines to the outer wall. Unglazed parts fire to a terracotta brown colour as with the base section The piece is unmarked but for similar pieces see the superb book: Chinese Ceramics by He Li published by Thames & Hudson, 1996; pages 164 to 184. NOTES Longquan is a city in South west China. These wares were produced over a long time period from 959 to 1550; which covers the Northern Song, Southern Song...

This very large plate made in Japan during the Emperor Meiji time 1868-1912. Wonderful blue pattern on fine porcelain. There is a crack that’s shown thro...

A gorgeous antique Victorian repoussé silver soldered compote dish, centerpiece, or tazza By Tiffany & Co. (signed to the underside) USA, Late 19th Century Measures: 8.88"W x 8.88...

A large precious stone and silver-gilt flower model by Asprey. English, 20th century. Measures: 47cm high x 14cm wide x 12 cm depth. Crafted ...

Exquisite contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain long stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are char...

This unusual Chinese Export Rose Medallion chestnut bowl retains the original underplate and dates from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). A handmade and hand painted piece, there are the...

A Rare and Historic 1859 Elkington Silvered Bronze Victorian Centerpiece with Cut-Glass Bowl. Presenting a magnificent Victorian silvered bronze centerpiece of unmatched rarity and importance, crafted by the renowned Elkington Mason & Co., Birmingham, in 1859. This exceptional work, complete with its original cut-glass bowl, epitomizes 19th-century British craftsmanship and artistry. Hallmarked to the base, this centerpiece showcases intricate sculptural details, embodying a high level of technical prowess and aesthetic refinement characteristic of Elkington's celebrated works. The centerpiece's striking design features three meticulously rendered figures—a young hunter, a friar, and a fishmonger—each embodying elements of Victorian life and industry. At their feet, a loyal spaniel and various game highlight the naturalistic approach to the composition, enhanced by the masterful chasing and dynamic form. This sculptural ensemble rests on an elaborately decorated base, exuding both grandeur and narrative depth. Adding profound historical value are two engraved plaques. The first, dated “January 28, 1859,” reads: “Presented to William Johnson Esq. as a token of respect & esteem by the workpeople in the employ of Messrs Richard Johnson & Brother, Manchester.” The second, an inscription from 1941, states: “Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers, Alias Wire Workers of the City of London, Presented by Arthur Laurence Johnson M.A., Grandson of William Johnson, both Wire Workers, with his Daughter Eleanor Morton Johnson, a Freeman of the Company, to commemorate his Mastership 1941-42.” These inscriptions chart a rich lineage, connecting the Johnson family to pivotal moments in industrial history. William Johnson, alongside his brother Richard, assumed leadership of a wire-drawing firm in 1838, which would later become Richard Johnson & Nephew Ltd. Their contributions included providing galvanized armored wire for the historic 1857 transatlantic telegraph cable...