1. What exactly are ‘mounted porcelains’?

The term ‘mounted porcelains’ refers to pieces of porcelain — originally produced in China, Japan or Europe — which are further embellished with gilt-bronze or silver mounts of European design to create a charming marriage of East and West.

2. When were they first produced?

The first mounted porcelains were produced in the 16th and 17th centuries when trade was first opened with China and Japan and porcelain wares were brought back to Europe from the East. Many of these were relatively simple pieces set in precious or semi-precious metal mounts to make them more appealing to Western collectors.

3. What are the mounts made of?

Initially the mounts were generally produced in silver, but as the trend became more widespread from the early 18th century onward, the mounts were increasingly made of gilt bronze.