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A Life in Ceramics

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

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"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
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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

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A fine Chelsea figure emblematic of Smell, circa 1755
A rare Bow figure of a pugilist, circa 1755
Two Bow models of sphinxes, circa 1750
A Bow white figure of Kitty Clive, circa 1750-52
A Derby white figure of Kitty Clive, circa 1750-52
An important Worcester teabowl from the Theatrical Service, circa 1775
Fifteen Liverpool delftware theatrical tiles, circa 1777-80
A Capodimonte jug or coffee pot, circa 1750
A Capodimonte ecuelle, cover and stand, circa 1755-59
A Cozzi small coffee pot and cover, circa 1770
A Meissen Hausmaler coffee pot and cover, the porcelain circa 1725, the decoration third quarter 18th century
A Vincennes pomade pot and cover (pot à pommade), circa 1746-49
A Meissen teabowl and saucer, circa 1723
A pair of Arita ormolu-mounted octagonal dishes, Edo Period (1615-1886), circa 1690-1720
A Meissen flower-encrusted two-handled cup and cover, circa 1735
An Arita vase, Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1660
A rare Arita incense burner modelled as a bird cage, Edo Period (1615-1886), circa 1700
An Arita miniature teapot and cover, circa 1700
An Arita small octagonal bowl, circa 1690
An Arita baluster jar and cover, Edo Period (1615-1886), circa 1690
An Imari bowl and cover, Edo period (1615-1886), circa 1700
An Arita tea or coffee urn and cover, Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1730-50
An Arita sake (toguri) bottle, Edo Period (1615-1886), circa 1690
An Arita large dish, circa 1690
An Arita model of a cockerel, Edo period (1615-1886), circa 1680
A pair of large Bow white models of a lion and lioness, circa 1750-52
A fine Bow white model of a pug dog, circa 1752
A Lowestoft white model of a pug dog, circa 1760
A Chelsea pigeon tureen and cover, circa 1755
A fine and early Chelsea white 'teaplant' coffee pot and cover, circa 1745-49
An exceptional Chelsea white vase, circa 1750-52
A superb Worcester coffee pot and cover, circa 1753
A rare Worcester twelve-sided teabowl and saucer, circa 1752
A rare and early Worcester mug or tankard, circa 1752-53
An exceptionally rare Worcester sugar bowl and cover, circa 1753
A Meissen octagonal sugar box and cover, circa 1730
A Worcester teabowl and saucer and a coffee cup, circa 1753-55
A Worcester dry mustard pot and cover, circa 1753-55
A good Worcester hexagonal creamboat, circa 1753-54
A Worcester wet mustard pot and cover, circa 1754-56
An extremely rare Worcester twelve-sided teabowl, circa 1752
An early Worcester plate, circa 1752-53
A Worcester hexagonal vase and cover, circa 1758-60
A Worcester beaker vase, circa 1756-58
The Rous Lench Worcester 'Bird and Snail' vase, circa 1754
A Vauxhall cream jug, circa 1755-56
A Liverpool (William Reid) cream jug, circa 1758
A Longton Hall dessert basin and stand, circa 1756-58
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