A wonderful, rare antique doll's enamel dinner service decorated with rose buds and leaf sprigs, and each piece finished with a blue trim; very much in tune with the current trend "cottage core", an aesthetic which celebrates an idealised rural life. This is part of an extensive collection of miniature enamel kitchen ware, previously owned by the late miniaturist specialist and collector extraordinaire Joan Dunk. We were lucky enough to purchase some of her collection at auction, which we are now offering here.

We are selling the set as separate items. Please make your choice in the box below, once you have studied the options that follow.  

History

The house contents of Joan Dunk (1930 – 2019) – a stalwart of Portobello Road Antique Market, London - went under the hammer in 2020, and the sale exceeded all expectations, doubling its presale estimate. It was rare to see a collection of such desirable and eclectic items fresh to the market and accumulated by such an expert eye.  For as well as selling antiques for a living Joan also collected and her tiny London terrace house was packed from floor to ceiling. 

Her stall was called "IDA", the trade name of an early twentieth century German kitchen equipment manufacturer, which she adapted to ‘Interesting Domestic Appliances’. She was particularly fond of miniatures, small irons, nutmeg graters, spectacles, bisque Christmas cake decorations, treen, moulds, spice racks, doll’s houses – and their furniture and miniature kitchenalia - and ephemeral curios. Fittingly, she passed away while in mid flow of ordering fish and chips.

The passing of Joan Dunk represents the passing of an era in the antiques trade. An era when specialists were genuine experts, and collectors collected. Purchasing a piece of Joan’s treasured collection of miniature enamel ware could well form the nucleus of a wonderful new collection – curated and owned by you.

Country of origin: Germany

Date of manufacture: c.1900

Material: enamelled steel

Condition: very good, and very clean - without discolouration to the enamel finish - and with only a handful of very small nicks here and there. The teapot has a few small knocks, and a knock to the inside rim of its lid. See images.

Small plate (x12)  £18 each

Diameter 7cm  Height 0.7cm

Large plate (x14)  £22 each

Diameter 9cm  Height 1cm

Oval platter (x6)  £26 each

Length 11cm  Width 6.5cm

Oval twin-handle vegetable dish with lid (x2) £55 each

Length 14.5cm Width 9cm Height 2.5cm

Oval twin-handle soup tureen with ladle (x2) £65 each

Length 9.5cm Width 6cm Height 5cm

Large round twin-handle tureen with lid £48

Diameter 9cm Height 9.5cm

Teapot £65

Height 9cm  Diameter 8cm  Handle to spout diameter 12.5cm