Skip to main content
Bonhams
Search
Open for bidding

A Life in Ceramics

The Peter and Mary White Collection
1 December 2025 | starting at 13:00 GMT

Order your printed auction catalogue.

"The White Collection vividly reveals the dialogue between Asian craftsmanship and European imagination."
- Professor Christiaan Jörg

Bonhams are honoured to present A Life in Ceramics: The Peter and Mary White Collection. Over more than thirty years, Peter and Mary have brought together a remarkable collection which includes ceramics from around the world and reflects their fascination with how the medium transcends cultures. In this inaugural live sale, we trace how Chinese, Japanese, European and British potters influenced one another and their markets.

For a foreword to the auction from Mary White herself and an essay by leading scholar Christiaan Jörg, please see the pdf catalogue.

Mary White will be in conversation with Anna Burnside and Sebastian Kuhn, 30 November 2025, at 101 New Bond Street. Please join us from 3pm, the talk will begin promptly at 3.30pm.
RSVP: leni.howard@bonhams.com

This Live auction follows an Online sale of Chinese ceramics from the collection, ending 10 November.

Please note that condition is not specified in the catalogue descriptions for this auction. Please get in touch for condition reports.

Live Auction
London, New Bond Street
How to buy
Register to bid

Auction highlights

An exceptional St James's (Charles Gouyn) white figure group of Europa and the Bull, circa 1750-52An exceptional St James's (Charles Gouyn) white figure group of Europa and the Bull, circa 1750-52. Estimate: £15,000 - £20,000
A rare Sèvres gold-mounted bleu-céleste ground bonbonnière in the shape of an egg (oeuf), circa 1763-64A rare Sèvres gold-mounted bleu-céleste ground bonbonnière in the shape of an egg (oeuf), circa 1763-64. Estimate: £15,000 - £20,000
A rare Chinese group of the Tyrolean Dancers, Qianlong period, circa 1752A rare Chinese group of the Tyrolean Dancers, Qianlong period, circa 1752. Estimate: £10,000 - £15,000
A Saint-Cloud figure of an actress, circa 1730-40A Saint-Cloud figure of an actress, circa 1730-40. Estimate: £8,000 - £12,000
A rare Chelsea carp tureen and cover, circa 1755A rare Chelsea carp tureen and cover, circa 1755. Estimate: £8,000 - £12,000
A Capodimonte ecuelle, cover and stand, circa 1755-59A Capodimonte ecuelle, cover and stand, circa 1755-59. Estimate: £8,000 - £12,000
A Sèvres 'rose marbré' ground cup, cover and saucer (gobelet 'litron' et soucoupe), dated 1762A Sèvres 'rose marbré' ground cup, cover and saucer (gobelet 'litron' et soucoupe), dated 1762. Estimate: £8,000 - £12,000
An Arita porcelain model of a lion-dog or 'Shishi', circa 1680An Arita porcelain model of a lion-dog or 'Shishi', circa 1680. Estimate: £6,000 - £8,000
A rare Chelsea peach-shaped cup and stand, circa 1750-52A rare Chelsea peach-shaped cup and stand, circa 1750-52. Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000
An Arita figure of a boy, Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1660-1690An Arita figure of a boy, Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1660-1690. Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500

Lot gallery

210 lots available

Load previous
A large Arita teabowl, Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1680
A pair of small Arita mustard pots and covers, Edo Period (1615-1868) circa 1690
A Chelsea 'Hampton Court' vase and cover, circa 1752-55
A Chelsea plate, circa 1752-53
A rare Chelsea peach-shaped cup and stand, circa 1750-52
A rare Chelsea strawberry leaf sauceboat, circa 1752-53
An important Chelsea 'Goat and Bee' jug, circa 1745
A fine and rare Chelsea milk jug or 'cream ewer', circa 1745-49
An early Chelsea strawberry dish or salt, circa 1745-49
An important 'mushroom-glazed' Bow shell salt, circa 1746-48
A Chelsea crayfish salt, circa 1755
A rare Chelsea carp tureen and cover, circa 1755
An Arita model of a man or Benkei riding a carp, circa 1700
A Chantilly silver-mounted jug and cover, circa 1740
A Chantilly flared small bowl, circa 1735
A Chantilly large mug, circa 1740
A pair of Chantilly gilt-metal mounted lobed vases, circa 1730-40
An Arita teapot and cover, Edo Period (1680-1720), circa 1700-1720
A Chantilly bottle cooler, circa 1735-45
A Chantilly waste bowl or basin, circa 1735-40
An Arita hexagonal wine or teapot and cover, Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1780
A rare Cozzi plate, circa 1770
An Arita circular lobed dish, Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1700
An Arita pot-pourri or incense burner and cover, Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1670
An Arita libation cup or tripod pitcher, Edo period (1615-1868), early 18th century
A pair of Arita salts, Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1690
An Arita pear-shaped mug, circa 1680
An Arita ewer, Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1700
An extraordinary Limehouse tea canister and cover, circa 1746-48
A very rare Limehouse leaf pickle dish, circa 1746-48
An important early creamware coffee cup, circa 1745-48
A rare Limehouse cup, circa 1746-48
An important Limehouse teapot and cover, circa 1746-48
An early Longton Hall teapot and cover, circa 1753-54
A Vauxhall teapot and cover, circa 1756
A Chelsea teapot and cover, circa 1750-52
A Du Paquier shaped dish, circa 1730-35
An early Meissen Dutch-decorated teapot and cover, circa 1720
A Dutch-decorated Chinese, Kangxi or early Yongzheng, large circular dish, circa 1700-1730, the decoration circa 1720-30
An impressive Liverpool (Richard Chaffers) beaker vase, circa 1756-60
A pair of London-decorated Chinese Jingdezhen vases and covers, circa 1750-55
A fine pair of Derby white 'Birds in Branches' candelabra, circa 1750-55
A rare early Derby white figure of Harlequin, circa 1750
An exceptional Chelsea white figure of a musician, circa 1752-53
A very rare Chelsea white model of a Butcher Bird, circa 1749-52
A rare Chantilly model of a hawk or falcon, circa 1740
A fine Chelsea white model of an owl, circa 1748-50
A rare Chelsea figure group of the Peasant's Supper, circa 1756-58
Load moreJump to gallery filters

News and stories

Play
Read Story

The Classics | Winter 2025

Additional information