An Edwardian miniature blue enamel wall-mounted soap holder; and part of an extensive collection of miniature pale blue enamel kitchen ware, previously owned by the 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.

HistoryThe 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 was also a keen collector, 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.

Dimensions: Width 8cm  Height 5.5cm  Depth 4cm

Country of origin: UK & Europe

Date of manufacture: c.1900

Material: enamelled steel

Condition: one hundred years of touch and play have resulted in a few knocks here and there to the enamel, as would be expected. See images.