This blue, white and gilt porcelain plate was produced to commemorate cricketer WG Grace’s ‘Century of Centuries’.
It was one of 18 specially commissioned from the Coalport China Company and SJ Kepple & Son of Bristol for a private dinner party on January 22, 1896, in honour of his 100th century.
This plate was presented to Gilbert Court Branch who sat next to Grace, according to the seating arrangement inscribed to the back. The front is decorated in blue and gilt, the central reserve bears Grace’s signature and the date 1895, with the years and detail of each individual century and opposition radiating from the centre.
The plate, which has been recently professionally restored because of a hairline break, has been consigned by descendants of Branch who live in Canada. It is estimated at £12,000-18,000 at Knights Sporting Auctions in Leicester on August 12-13.
knights.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
Offered at auction for the first time since it was purchased in France in c.1950, this landscape by Dutch painter Jan Sluijters (1881-1957) will go under the hammer at Mallams on August 16 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
The signed 15 x 20in (38 x 51cm) oil on canvas is titled Dutch cornfield in summer and dates to c.1910. Estimate £5000-8000.
mallams.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
This William Moorcroft creation is priced at £7900 from AD Antiques in Gloucestershire.
Made c.1920, the ginger jar is decorated with the Eventide design and measures 11½in (29cm) high.
