A while ago I asked for help from all the readers of this blog to identify a pair of potpourri vases from about 1835-1840, which I had been told were Minton - but I was not sure they were. Previously, it had also been thought that they'd been made by Samuel Alcock, which certainly wasn't correct. How did we know that? The pattern numbers weren't right. But it was a mystery who made them. I've had these vases before, and have noticed them elsewhere, although they are rare. And

It is Christmas Eve and today there is no story about porcelain, but just some thoughts about the holidays... Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or neither... aren't all these festivals essentially about the same thing? Compassion, a kind thought for those around you, some self-reflection, and most of all a joyful coming together and giving to everyone around us. For many, 2022 has not been the easiest year. But I find that in times of challenge giving is the ultimate

The holidays are upon us - and some of you will already have had several important holidays such as Thanksgiving or Hanukkah. Here in the Northern Hemisphere the days are now getting very short and temperatures have plummeted, making a cozy dinner with loved ones more attractive than ever. Or, if you are down under and hitting the middle of summer, what better than a long evening dinner on the terrace? To help you entertain I have lots of table services. There is nothing like

It's that time of the year... and if you are as busy and disorganised as me, you still need to get some very special gifts for those very special loved ones. It's not too late - shipping before Christmas is still possible. But after the second week of December it always gets more tricky, so I suggest you act quickly! Shipments anywhere in the UK or to the US generally take about 2 or 3 days at the moment, and I ship exclusively by DHL. I have made a special page with small gi

I have been a little quiet online, but that's because last week I was standing at one of Britain's biggest antiques fairs, the Art & Antiques for Everyone Fair at the NEC in Birmingham. This fair is sometimes called the "Porcelain Paradise" as there are usually a lot of porcelain dealers. Four days of meeting countless porcelain enthusiasts and seeing lots of my excellent colleagues has left me exhausted but satisfied - it was fantastic to see so much beauty in one space, and