An unusual Victorian fish dish made in 1875 is estimated to fetch in excess of £20,000 at Bonhams New Bond Street salerooms on Wednesday 10th September 2008, as part of the Fine British Pottery, Porcelain and Enamel sale.
The Minton majolica dish and cover, which is modelled in the form of a large carp, is over half a metre long in order to accommodate a carp up to this size. Its colouring of brown, ochre and grey tones contrasts to the bed of green leaves on a cobalt ground. Due to the size and complexity of this piece, it is thought that few examples were originally made. So its rarity and value as a collector’s item commands the large £20,000 estimate.
Minton was formed in 1796 in Stoke on Trent as part of the boom in porcelain making in that period. Over its long establishment, Minton has been involved in creating tiled flooring for ecclesiastical and domestic interiors, and their famous pâte-sur-pâte wares. These and the majolica wares are the most collected items today. Minton still produces tableware today under Royal Doulton.
Carp were eaten regularly in medieval times as they thrive in freshwater. However the fashion for sea fish became apparent with the Industrial Revolution, and freshwater fish such as carp lost their popularity. Carp fishing is now a very popular sport. However, when this dish was made it was intended as the table centrepiece for a special occasion. Carp is still a popular dish in Eastern Europe, eaten especially during the Christmas period.
