Earthenware Furniture

A remarkable pair of large Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) earthenware Imperial roof decorations - ornamental architectural terracotta roof tile beasts. 15th/16th century or earlier, Northern China, most likely Forbidden City, Dongcheng District, Beijing, figural pottery modeled as mythical qilin (foo dog / guardian lion), the crouching beast with legs back and flaming body depicted ready to pounce. Retaining partial remnants of the red wax export seal, indicating they are authentic and were legally exported out of the country. Dimensions: (approx) Largest: 18" Tall, 19" Wide, 8" Deep History: Chinese roof tiles have been a part of Chinese architecture for over 2,000 years. These unique and beautifully crafted tiles have become an integral part of traditional Chinese culture, and have gained international recognition for their beauty and cultural significance. In this article, we will explore the different types of Chinese roof tiles, their construction, cultural significance, preservation and restoration techniques, and modern uses. Chinese imperial roof decorations or roof charms or roof-figures (Chinese: 檐獸/檐兽; pinyin: yán shòu) or "walking beasts" (Chinese: 走獸/走兽; pinyin: zǒu shòu) or "crouching beasts" (Chinese: 蹲獸/蹲兽; pinyin: Dūn shòu) were statutes placed along the ridge line of official buildings of the Chinese empire. Only official buildings (palaces, government buildings, and some temples) were permitted to use such roof decorations. Occasionally arranged in an outward marching procession with various different examples, the number and type indicating the importance of the duties performed within the building or within the courtyard protected by a gate. With a maximum number of nine, the mythical beast was one of the highest in rank, thus modeled set to pounce upon the man and lower ranking creatures, ready to devour them should they stray from performing their duties with faithfulness and rectitude The Design and Construction of Chinese Roofs: The roof design is an important aspect of Chinese architecture, with each component of the roof playing a specific role. Chinese roof tiles fit into the overall design of the roof and are placed on top of wooden supports called purlins. The interlocking system of Chinese roof tiles ensures that they stay in place and prevent leaks. Ridge tiles...

This Wedgwood creamware plate, made in England circa 1765, is hand-painted with a finely drawn purple flower at the center, surrounded by a delicate neoclassical garland border. This...

A beautiful pair of hand painted blue and white Delft style ceramic tiles featuring people making sausage and fishing. These make excellent coasters. Holland, Circa Mid-20th Century...

Knud Kyhn Royal Copenhagen Baboon Figure, Denmark, 1960s This ceramic figure of a seated baboon was designed by Danish sculptor Knud Kyhn (1880–1969) for Royal Copenhagen. Kyhn was r...

19th Century green Majolica tureen with grapes. East of France. Measures: height / 6.5 diameter / 6" by 5"  

French Majolica oyster plate called Russian imperial eagle, circa 1890. Reference / page 132 "Oyster Plates" of Jeffrey B. Snyder.

A beautiful example of classic English transferware, this vintage Spode Copeland Italian cachepot features the maker's iconic 1816 ‘Italian’ pattern—rend...

A beautiful set of five blue and white Delft vases, this faience collection was hand-painted in Holland, circa 1900. The three bulbous vases are lidded, each with a finial depicting a rampant lion with a ball in its forepaws. Beneath the lion is a mottled background (on the front side only), with a foliate and floral margent. Each vase has the same scene painted on the front of the main body: a couple walking through a field surrounded by flowers. The opposite side has a floral rinceaux above a foliate branch. Painted in a similar fashion, the two concave vases are without lids. The side opposite from the cartouche of the couple has floral margents. All five vases have canted corners on the base. Inspired by Italian majolica, the faience produced in 16th century Holland...

Beautiful in its imperfection, this ceramic storage jar from Yunnan province has a crawled glaze finish that reveals the maker's hand. Dated to the 15th/16th century, the sculptural ...

19th Century Majolica chocolate oyster plate with green seaweeds Luneville. Reference: Page 43 "Oyster plates" of J. Karsnitz.

A brown and green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s. Mark to body likely production-related.

XXL seahorse (hippocampus) sculpture made of white ceramic that is polychrome glazed, executed in high relief, by Belgian designer Yann for Amphora Belgium, circa 1960s, signed on th...

Rozenburg Earthenware wall plate, The Hague, the Netherlands, 1893. A Rozenburg earthenware plate with a slightly raised edge with a floral d...

Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...

Gorgeous blue hand painted Baroque cherub or angel 18th century style Portuguese ceramic tile/azulejo The tile painted in cobalt blue over wh...

Elegant 18th-Century Staffordshire Creamware Cauliflower Milk Jug and Cover This exquisite Milk Jug and Cover is a superior example of Cauliflower Ware, a distinctive and highly col...

1957 / 2024 based on Untitled Blue Plate (IKB 54) from 1957 earthenware plate with acrylic display box plate diameter: 23 cm or approx. 9" display box: 32 x 30 cm or approx. 12 1/2" ...

Herculaneum Neo-classical Greek pattern blue printed dish, Early-19th century. The Herculaneum pottery underglaze blue central pattern shows as...

A Highly Important George Jones Majolica 'Palissy Vase,' molded as an obovoid-form ewer, the rustic bark ground with molded green-glazed leaves and ferns,...

Dutch Delft polychrome plate with lively polychrome decoration of a central Louis XIV ornamental creation crowed by a vase on a stand filled with flowe...

A green-glazed earthenware vase designed by Erik Mornils and produced by Nittsjö, Sweden, 1930s.

Otto Natzler and Gertrud Natzler Monumental Studio Bowl, 1956 Earthenware with yellow crater glaze 12⅞ h × 17⅜ dia in (33 × 44 cm) Signed ‘Natzler’ with archive number H254 Provenanc...

Rustic French Majolica Brown Hen Tureen circa 1950 signed Caugant.

French rustic faience oyster plate with flowers and bretonne circa 1920.

Rare and poetic Mithé Espelt "Bird" ceramic vide-poche/ baguier, c.1968, France. Gold, ivory, black enameled and cracked earthenware. Dimensions: 11,5 cm W, 11,5 cm D, 2 cm H. Beauti...

18th Century Delft Blue and White Plaque, probably English, with a hand painted scene of the ‘Last Supper’. Height 14 inches (35.5 cm) x Width 16 inches ...

A llate 18th-century Dutch Delft tin-glazed earthenware plate, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with a landscape depicting a bridge. The rim is decorated with stylised floral mot...

Royal Copenhagen small rectangular faience vase designed by Nils Thorsson. Decorated in earthy glazes set in abstract motifs. Model number 721/3258 and its fully marked to the base w...

A green and orange-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.

A rare pair of elegant Louis XVI faience tray tables, crafted by Hannover-Münden circa 1780. The tables feature original hand-painted faience trays with high, profiled edges. One tra...

Dutch eartheware vase by the Arnhemsche Fayencefabriek, 1920 Green glazed earthenware vase with linear decoration, design Klaas Vet, executed by the Arnhemsche Fayencefabriek for th...

French Faience Plate Quimper circa 1960. Couple of bretons dancing. 10 inches diameter.

Delft faience plate with blue decoration of a central flower arrangement. The border with stylized flowers in cartouches and a diaperwork. Very good condition: usual wear and some ...

19th Century French Faience Rose Plate signed U&C Sarreguemines.

French faience oyster plate with Bird Moustiers style signed Martres Tolosane, circa 1940.  

French Rustic Flowers Plate Sarreguemines, circa 1930. Model Agreste. Flowers poppy , cornflowers , daisies.... Country syle.

A superb pair of large Dutch Delft vases, each decorated throughout in tones of blue on a white background with wonderful chinoiserie decoration in the Kangxi style, with further sty...

The bottom sign tells this vase was made in the era of Xuande emperor. The characteristic Arabic pattern is Influenced by the Silk Road trade in Ming p...

Pair of 19th century Palissy chalices vases with butterflies signed Thomas Sergent, the feets are stylized seaweeds in a Renaissance style. School of Paris. The School of Paris was composed by makers as Victor Barbizet, Francois Maurice, Thomas Sergent, Georges Pull...

George Jones Majolica large 'Rose Basket' 9.5-in wide in cobalt blue, circa 1872. Impressed British Registry mark stamp to reverse for 17 February 1872. George Jones pattern number '...

Pair of round dishes and a small oval tray Antonio Maria Coppellotti factory Lodi, circa 1745 High fire polychrome majolica Dishes size: diameter 9.44 in, height 0.78 in (24 cm, 2 c...

Superb majolica jardinière / centerpiece Art Nouveau. This jardinière is not only a functional item, but also a work of art, reflecting the exquisite crafmanship of Fives Lille.

A fantastic, quite unique, and rare early work by famed American studio potter Rose Cabat who became well known for her ceramic "feelies" and use of innovative glazes. These formative early pieces are very scarce. This handsome work has a very natural, organic feel to it and displays a beautiful repeating pattern. This piece is signed by Cabat on the base. Would be a wonderful addition to collectors of Cabat or other midcentury potter...

A beige and brown-glazed incised earthenware vase designed by Anna-Lisa Thomson and produced by Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1930s.

An earthenware French faïence peach motif fruit plate, circa 1900. The background has a detailed floral pattern to the molding, with a six-paneled indented rim. Lovely coloring. M...

This vintage Myott "Bouquet" oval serving plate is a delightful example of mid-20th-century English transferware, blending practicality with floral elegance. The hand-finished scallo...

Mid 18th century Blue Delftware plate with chinoiserie decoration of a fisherman and a pagode. Qianlong style brown rim Unmarked Good antique condition; some small chipping and usu...

Note: We highly recommend shipping through 1stDibs for its cost effectiveness, full insurance coverage, and reliable handling. While standard parcel services are an option, the defau...

Minton Majolica flower holder which features a scallop shell supported by seaweed on a rocky base. Coloration: cream, brown, green, are predomin...

A Dutch Delft-style polychrome faience table lamp, early 20th century, bearing an underglaze mark reading “Holland Delfes.” The baluster-form body is executed in tin-glazed faience w...

This captivating glass chandelier is inspired by the highly ornate Baroque style. This design has a central body with a green cylindrical element embell...

Exceptional 20th century French white faience pitcher, produced in Malicorne-sur-Sarthe and attributed to Émile Tessier (1887-1971), a leading figure of the Malicorne ceramic traditi...

Pair of blue and white glazed ceramic door pulls attributed to Fausto Melotti (1901-1986). See his maniglie for Casa Fornaroli. Signature indecipherable. Each with two screw holes. S...

Elevate your space, however small, with the Alto Side Table. Hand built using traditional Nerikomi slab-building techniques. Ceramic spheres are threaded onto a central column, sitti...

French Majolica poppies plate signed Luneville, circa 1910.

French Majolica asparagus platter Salins, circa 1880. Decorated with ferns.

Striking ceramic table lamp is comprised of hand-sculpted rhino figurine with a bird sitting on its neck; the rhino is mounted on long conical totem pole, formed in coil technique. ...

Large and rare 19th century Majolica jewel box signed Choisy Le Roi. Renaissance style.   

Large leaf-shaped ceramic platter manufactured in Vallauris, France, circa 1950–1960. The piece is made in majolica with a sculpted leaf profile, including central veining and a stem...

Eye-catching green and brown Majolica ceramic rooster jug / pitcher, Spain, 1950s. Andalusian ceramic decorative rooster shaped jug in shades ...