Background

Porcelain in all it's delicacy has fascinated men for hundreds of years, but until the beginning of the 18th century only the Chinese and Japanese knew the secret of hard-paste, or true porcelain. In 1705, however, this was to change when disgraced, bogus alchemist, Bottger, was put to work by Augustus 11, the elector of Saxony, to find the secret of this most precious of objects. In 1708 he presented the king with a small white porcelain bowl, and by 1710 the Meissen manufactory was operational. Thus began the greatest ceramic enterprise Europe has ever known.

For the past 35 years I have been passionate about 18th century Meissen porcelain, especially the figures by J .J. Kaendler and his fellow modellers Reinicke, Meyer and Eberlein. This passion has led me to write two books on the subject, and also enebles me to give a large amount of information on every piece I sell, such as the year of manufacture, modeller, and frequently sourcing the drawings or paintings that inspired the modellers. Although the figures are my first love, I also always hold some pieces of table-wares in stock.

Of course, any restorations will be fully specified both at the beginning of a transaction and also listed on the invoice. All prices quoted will include packing, shipping and insurance whilst in transit.

My next event will be The Summer Antiques and Fine art Fair, Olympia, London. 8th to 18th June 2006