Richard White
@rhwhite.bsky.social
NYC-based 18th-century porcelain and decorative art collector showing photos of the crazy stuff he's bought over the years. Runner, too.
A Chinese Export porcelain octagonal plate decorated in the Japanese Kakiemon ‘two quails’ pattern in green and iron-red with gilt highlights and a double row of leaves in red along the rim. A very popular motif, you can see it on porcelain from Meissen, Chantilly, Chelsea, Bow and more.
January 18, 2026 at 10:53 PM
A Chinese Export porcelain octagonal plate decorated in the Japanese Kakiemon ‘two quails’ pattern in green and iron-red with gilt highlights and a double row of leaves in red along the rim. A very popular motif, you can see it on porcelain from Meissen, Chantilly, Chelsea, Bow and more.
I can't say I'm obsessed with chickens and roosters, etc., but you might say I am because they do appear in the decoration on some of the porcelain I own. Appearing sometimes as a figure, not just decoration. Well, they're fun and they have character. (see ALT for the pecking order)
January 16, 2026 at 11:47 AM
I can't say I'm obsessed with chickens and roosters, etc., but you might say I am because they do appear in the decoration on some of the porcelain I own. Appearing sometimes as a figure, not just decoration. Well, they're fun and they have character. (see ALT for the pecking order)
A 19th century Persian square hinged box with a slightly domed top, decorated in different metals (gilt brass) and patinations with inscriptions taken from the Qur’an in Farsi. Beautifully incised.
No idea of any of the inscription translations, I'm not fluent in Farsi (any help here is welcome!).
No idea of any of the inscription translations, I'm not fluent in Farsi (any help here is welcome!).
January 15, 2026 at 1:20 PM
A 19th century Persian square hinged box with a slightly domed top, decorated in different metals (gilt brass) and patinations with inscriptions taken from the Qur’an in Farsi. Beautifully incised.
No idea of any of the inscription translations, I'm not fluent in Farsi (any help here is welcome!).
No idea of any of the inscription translations, I'm not fluent in Farsi (any help here is welcome!).
Received my copy of Caroline McCaffrey-Howarth's new book Lady Charlotte Schreiber - Extraordinary Art Collector, now available in the U.S. Nicely written, beautifully done. She was kind enough to mention me in the acknowledgments. Thank you, Caroline!
January 14, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Received my copy of Caroline McCaffrey-Howarth's new book Lady Charlotte Schreiber - Extraordinary Art Collector, now available in the U.S. Nicely written, beautifully done. She was kind enough to mention me in the acknowledgments. Thank you, Caroline!
![Very faded, but the pattern of the woven fabric is meant to be a green and red tartan. On the ribbon attached to the pincushion, GOD PRESERVE ENGLAND AND. On the pincushion itself, the continuation DOWN WITH RUMP. A reference to the Rump Parliament of 1648-53 (purged of MPs who opposed the trial of King Charles I) but used by Tories and Jacobites in the 18th century to refer to the Whig-dominated politics of the day. GOD BLESS P.C. [Prince Charles] AND is also frequently seen on the ribbon portion](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:iecuzvb72xfdwlum2pc5ggj2/bafkreicjdp3miu3apruwlizjg3mtaodyoleuscvryjic42yfyonqdgcvee@jpeg)
A circa 1795 Directoire mahogany three-tier étagère with three blue tarquin marble surfaces and two pairs of spring-loaded drawers on opposite sides. Each of the four supports has four neoclassical fluted pilasters ending in toupee feet with gilt bronze sabots. Stamped by Jean-François Leleu. (ALT)
January 13, 2026 at 5:40 PM
A circa 1795 Directoire mahogany three-tier étagère with three blue tarquin marble surfaces and two pairs of spring-loaded drawers on opposite sides. Each of the four supports has four neoclassical fluted pilasters ending in toupee feet with gilt bronze sabots. Stamped by Jean-François Leleu. (ALT)
A 18th or 19th century Chinese Export Dehua porcelain oval flared libation cup decorated with raised decoration of a phoenix, deer, birds and flowers, with a carved wood stand. A somewhat ubiquitous form but... the animals are lovely.
January 12, 2026 at 3:13 PM
A 18th or 19th century Chinese Export Dehua porcelain oval flared libation cup decorated with raised decoration of a phoenix, deer, birds and flowers, with a carved wood stand. A somewhat ubiquitous form but... the animals are lovely.
NYC turns out to protest. Fifth Avenue this afternoon.
January 11, 2026 at 8:50 PM
NYC turns out to protest. Fifth Avenue this afternoon.
Three 18th century Sèvres tea service items, a creamer, teapot and milk pot I bought at auction last year. Formerly in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I later found them pictured in their publication on The Wrightsman Collection (Vol IV), pictured here. Just gilt decoration, but still elegant.
January 9, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Three 18th century Sèvres tea service items, a creamer, teapot and milk pot I bought at auction last year. Formerly in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I later found them pictured in their publication on The Wrightsman Collection (Vol IV), pictured here. Just gilt decoration, but still elegant.
Carlo Ginori, founder of the Doccia factory, born on 7 January 1702. Happy Belated Birthday, Marchese.
A circa 1760 Doccia porcelain cane handle modeled and painted as a bearded man wearing a large cap decorated with gilt puce Indianische Blumen flower sprays on a pale yellow ground. Five o'clock shadow, some things never change.
January 8, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Carlo Ginori, founder of the Doccia factory, born on 7 January 1702. Happy Belated Birthday, Marchese.
A circa 1755 Chelsea porcelain dish molded with a lobed rim and decorated with a Japanese Kakiemon-inspired scene of two phoenixes (ho-ho birds) with banded hedges and flowers. Red Anchor Period, and marked as such on the underside. Nicely-detailed decoration. (see ALT)
January 7, 2026 at 2:40 PM
A circa 1755 Chelsea porcelain dish molded with a lobed rim and decorated with a Japanese Kakiemon-inspired scene of two phoenixes (ho-ho birds) with banded hedges and flowers. Red Anchor Period, and marked as such on the underside. Nicely-detailed decoration. (see ALT)
A set of four 1763 etchings ("Quatre Bacchanales") by Jean Honoré Fragonard, each illustrated with satyrs and nymphs depicted on sculpted stone relief decoration in a seasonal garden.
As Chic put it: "clams on the half shell, and roller skates, roller skates." (see ALT)
As Chic put it: "clams on the half shell, and roller skates, roller skates." (see ALT)
January 6, 2026 at 12:42 PM
A set of four 1763 etchings ("Quatre Bacchanales") by Jean Honoré Fragonard, each illustrated with satyrs and nymphs depicted on sculpted stone relief decoration in a seasonal garden.
As Chic put it: "clams on the half shell, and roller skates, roller skates." (see ALT)
As Chic put it: "clams on the half shell, and roller skates, roller skates." (see ALT)
A set of 11 Chelsea porcelain dessert plates molded with twelve scalloped rims decorated with six alternating illustrations of birds and incised basketweave panels, and decorated with large flower bouquets and flower sprays in the well. Red anchor period, circa 1755. Birds, and lots of them.
January 5, 2026 at 3:06 PM
A set of 11 Chelsea porcelain dessert plates molded with twelve scalloped rims decorated with six alternating illustrations of birds and incised basketweave panels, and decorated with large flower bouquets and flower sprays in the well. Red anchor period, circa 1755. Birds, and lots of them.
Reposted by Richard White
And speaking of régime-change (but drawing no analogies), a pair of royalist candlesticks (French, silvered bronze, late #c18th #c18 #18thc or early 19th), with Antiques de Laval, Tréguier (Côtes-d'Armor). Below each drip-pan, the silhouette of the late Queen Marie-Antoinette
January 4, 2026 at 12:20 PM
A circa 1730 octagonal bowl manufactured at Chantilly and painted in polychrome colors in the kakiemon style, illustrating paulownia and flower sprigs along the sides and red flowers with tendrils on the everted rim. A finger bowl? Possibly just copying a Japanese form, because, well, it's cool.
January 4, 2026 at 12:43 PM
A circa 1730 octagonal bowl manufactured at Chantilly and painted in polychrome colors in the kakiemon style, illustrating paulownia and flower sprigs along the sides and red flowers with tendrils on the everted rim. A finger bowl? Possibly just copying a Japanese form, because, well, it's cool.
A soft-paste porcelain snuff box with hinged silver mounts manufactured at Saint-Cloud circa 1740. In the shape of a crouching lamb painted with chinoiserie figures and flowering plants in polychrome colors on the figure and on the exterior and interior of the lid. Nice 'smile', resting lamb face.
January 3, 2026 at 1:07 PM
A soft-paste porcelain snuff box with hinged silver mounts manufactured at Saint-Cloud circa 1740. In the shape of a crouching lamb painted with chinoiserie figures and flowering plants in polychrome colors on the figure and on the exterior and interior of the lid. Nice 'smile', resting lamb face.
A porcelain snuffbox with hinged lid manufactured at Saint-Cloud circa 1740, possibly a Saint-Cloud copy of a Chantilly form. In the shape of a reclining man, painted in polychrome colors to the exterior and interior of the lid with silver mounts. Showing a laid back vibe for the new year.
January 3, 2026 at 12:25 AM
A porcelain snuffbox with hinged lid manufactured at Saint-Cloud circa 1740, possibly a Saint-Cloud copy of a Chantilly form. In the shape of a reclining man, painted in polychrome colors to the exterior and interior of the lid with silver mounts. Showing a laid back vibe for the new year.
Angry birds! A Sèvres porcelain bleu lapis ground pomade pot with cover, decorated with birds in landscapes within gilt line oval reserves, the cover decorated with a yellow ranunculus finial within a gilt line. I like how they're portrayed, the heavy lines make them somewhat menacing. (see ALT)
December 31, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Angry birds! A Sèvres porcelain bleu lapis ground pomade pot with cover, decorated with birds in landscapes within gilt line oval reserves, the cover decorated with a yellow ranunculus finial within a gilt line. I like how they're portrayed, the heavy lines make them somewhat menacing. (see ALT)
A circa 1750 Meissen porcelain milk jug with a scroll handle decorated with raised prunus branches in imitation of unpainted 17th and 18th century Dehua Chinese porcelain. With a small cover with round flower knop. I have a thing for raised prunus decoration, not sure why.
December 30, 2025 at 10:57 AM
A circa 1750 Meissen porcelain milk jug with a scroll handle decorated with raised prunus branches in imitation of unpainted 17th and 18th century Dehua Chinese porcelain. With a small cover with round flower knop. I have a thing for raised prunus decoration, not sure why.
A Sèvres porcelain jug with molded blue-and-gold rocaille decoration, painted with scattered sprays of flowers and with gilt lines along the handle and base and with gilt dentils along the spout rim. Used for dispensing water, it probably had a matching basin. 'Pot à l'eau à boissière', ca. 1758.
December 29, 2025 at 10:08 AM
A Sèvres porcelain jug with molded blue-and-gold rocaille decoration, painted with scattered sprays of flowers and with gilt lines along the handle and base and with gilt dentils along the spout rim. Used for dispensing water, it probably had a matching basin. 'Pot à l'eau à boissière', ca. 1758.
A circa 1740 porcelain small mug with handle manufactured at Chantilly, decorated with painted flowers and bamboo in polychrome colors in the kakiemon style. Nicely done. Bought it from Bonhams, London on December 2nd and it actually shipped and arrived before Christmas. Miraculous.
December 27, 2025 at 3:39 PM
A circa 1740 porcelain small mug with handle manufactured at Chantilly, decorated with painted flowers and bamboo in polychrome colors in the kakiemon style. Nicely done. Bought it from Bonhams, London on December 2nd and it actually shipped and arrived before Christmas. Miraculous.
Just an unassuming porcelain mustard pot with lid made circa 1690 at Louis Poterat's manufactory in Rouen, now at the Sèvres Museum. His family was known for faïence production, but Louis did make an attempt at creating porcelain like this. We know of about nine pieces in existence, c'est trés rare.
December 26, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Just an unassuming porcelain mustard pot with lid made circa 1690 at Louis Poterat's manufactory in Rouen, now at the Sèvres Museum. His family was known for faïence production, but Louis did make an attempt at creating porcelain like this. We know of about nine pieces in existence, c'est trés rare.
A rather large Christmas tree in the Harvard Club, New York City. December, 2025.
December 23, 2025 at 4:43 PM
A rather large Christmas tree in the Harvard Club, New York City. December, 2025.