Enquiry - My family hails from France and this has been around for as long as anyone can remember. We have always assumed it to be French. Can you tell us if it is and what it is worth, though we would never sell it. Length 10”. Thanks.

This is rare French polychrome faïence condiment set, the oil and vinegar bottles with moulded heads of man and woman beneath the spouts, loop handles, the carrier on four feet with imitation lattice work, made at the Samadet pottery, circa 1775 - 1795.

The Samadet potteries, located in the South West of France, began making colored ïencefa wares around 1760 and continued into the early years of the 19th century. Pieces made at this kiln are extremely rare and there is a ready, highly specialized collectors market for such items.
(Columbus no. 02022736)

(The owner of this piece has asked us not to disclose the precise valuation we gave but it is a significant figure, and, certainly far exceeds his original expectation)

Enquiry - This is a squat jar with Oriental writing on the bottom. What was it used for and is this very old? Height 4 3/4”.

Your piece is a Chinese parcel gilt copper incense burner, the cylindrical body on three butterfly feet, decorated with a continuous gilded band of lotus, prunus, peony, narcissus and chrysanthemum in low relief on a floral diaper ground between bands of silver inlaid keyfret. The base has a six character mark that reads Yunjian Hu Wenming zhi (made by Hu Wenming of Yunjian). This dates from the16/17th century.

Hu Wenming was the most famous maker of inlaid and gilt bronzes in late Ming times. This example in copper is extremely rare. Examples by this workshop are highly desirable as there are collectors in both the West and the Far East prepared to pay significant sums for his work. We valued this at $10,000 - $15,000.
(Columbus no. 05022788)

Enquiry -Can you tell us about this plate? It seems to have metal rim and the back is a lovely deep pink color. Is this Chinese or Japanese? We sell a lot on Ebay and want to know how to describe it. Diameter 13 1/2”

This large Chinese Canton enamel dish with everted rim is painted in colored enamels with a lady, dressed in flowing robes, sitting on an elaborately carved wood stool, holding a peony in one hand, small boys in attendance, all within a paneled fruit and flower border on diaper ground. The back is of solid "ruby" color typical of th best wares of the Yongzheng period (1723 -1735).

The decoration on this dish is almost identical to that seen on ruby backed porcelains of the Yongzheng period. Similar dishes are illustrated in Chinese art, Vol II, no. 107; The Min Chu Society Silver Jubilee Exhibition, Anthology of Chinese art, no. 256; Chinese Painted enamels, no. 44. The scale of this dish is exceptional. Value $15,000 - $22,000.
(Columbus no. 01602871)