Vintage Floral Plate Looks Straight Out of a Flea Market, Yet It Sold for Over €1,300
At first glance, this old floral dish could easily go unnoticed at a flea market booth. With its tiny colorful flowers and a slightly retro look, it resembles the kind of dinnerware that sometimes hides at the back of our grandparents’ cupboards. Yet behind its rather ordinary appearance lies an antique piece that could be a valuable antique worth its weight in gold. While some place settings fetch only a few euros, others can reach impressive sums during auctions. Much depends on their era of manufacture, their condition, but also on their maker. And this model, produced nearly 150 years ago, indeed possesses several features that attract collectors.
What does this famous old floral dish presented by Christie’s look like?
Today, this vintage floral dish is found on the renowned site of the auction house Christie’s. Made around 1876, it bears the signature of George Jones, a British ceramicist known for his majolica creations, a type of glazed pottery with vivid colors. Contrary to what one might think, this dish was not solely intended to decorate a table. At the time, this very original piece was used to present strawberries.
It features two large white flowers with yellow centers, which hold the fruit in place. In the middle, a double-loop handle eases gripping. The whole rests on a clover-shaped platter, enhanced by a large strawberry leaf and small pink flowers. A turquoise border, with reliefs that mimic wicker braiding, completes the ensemble. Even the underside of the dish has been decorated with a speckled glaze reminiscent of tortoiseshell. And despite all these details, the object measures about 11 inches long.
Ce vieux plat fleuri affiche un état de conservation presque parfait
Hard to believe this plate was manufactured nearly 150 years ago. Ceramic objects are generally quite fragile. A simple knock can be enough to chip a piece or damage its decoration. Moreover, according to information published by Christie’s, this model does show a few small imperfections. Nevertheless, despite its age, this floral dish appears to have held up fairly well over time.
One of the petals has, in particular, undergone restoration, and tiny enamel chips are also visible. These flaws are relatively discreet and do not diminish the charm of this antique piece. Another interesting detail: several stamped marks appear on the dish, accompanied by a model number that seems to correspond to 324. This number, however, is difficult to decipher.
What is the experts’ estimate for this old floral dish?
So, how much is this famous floral dish worth? At the time of its auction, Christie’s experts had estimated its value at between 1,000 and 1,500 British pounds. A fairly impressive sum for a piece of tableware that could easily find a place in a country kitchen.
Ultimately, on March 18, 1993, this George Jones-signed dish was sold for 1,127 British pounds, equal to just over 1,340 euros today. That sale dates back more than three decades. There is no guarantee the item would fetch exactly the same price today, since its value can evolve based on demand and the interest of collectors.
