PZH Gouda Toos hand-painted polychrome floral ceramic cachepot with green interior, cream crackle-glazed ground and bold flower decoration, Dutch Gouda pottery

Gouda Pottery Collectors Guide: Dutch Art Pottery from the Netherlands

Deon Knoetze
A complete collector's guide to Dutch Gouda pottery, covering the history of the city's plateel tradition, the main factories including PZH, Flora, Zenith, and Regina, how to identify and date pieces using marks, and what to look for when collecting.
Chinese export Famille Rose Rose Medallion figural floral plate with court scene decoration, Collectibles by Deon

Imari and Oriental Ceramics: A Collector's Guide to Blue, White and Famille Rose Porcelain

Deon Knoetze
A practical collector's guide to Oriental ceramics: covering blue and white Chinese export porcelain, Famille Rose, Imari ware, Chinoiserie, and Japanese ceramics, with advice on what to look for and how these pieces arrived in South Africa.
Fenton Peacock Tail marigold carnival glass square crimped bowl showing iridescent pressed glass pattern

What Is Carnival Glass? A Collector's Guide to Iridescent Pressed Glass

Deon Knoetze
A complete collector's guide to Carnival Glass: its history, how the iridescent effect is achieved, the key American and European makers, colour rarity, and what to look for when buying.
Royal Doulton Mandy HN2476 bone china figurine in white dress holding a yellow floral posy, showing the fine detail and quality of a genuine Royal Doulton piece

How to Tell If a Royal Doulton Figurine Is Genuine: A Collector's Authentication Guide

Deon Knoetze
A practical authentication guide for Royal Doulton figurines, covering how to read HN numbers and backstamps, what the bone china body should look and feel like, how to identify reproductions, and which published references to use.
Belleek Ireland cream basket weave sugar basin with hand-painted pink lily motif showing the delicate parian porcelain and signature lattice moulding

Belleek Irish Porcelain: A Collector's Guide to Marks, Patterns and What to Look For

Deon Knoetze
A complete collector's guide to Belleek Irish porcelain, covering the history of the Belleek Pottery, how to date pieces using the numbered mark system, the basket weave and shamrock patterns, and what to look for when collecting.
Spode Blue Italian rectangular covered butter dish with underplate showing the classic blue and white transferware pattern with Italian landscape scene

How to Clean Antique Ceramics Without Causing Damage

Deon Knoetze
Safe, practical guidance on cleaning antique ceramics, bone china, figurines, transferware, and glassware without causing damage to gilding, enamel colours, restored areas, or delicate applied decoration.
Royal Doulton The Mask Seller HN2103 figurine, a highly detailed character study in teal cape and feathered hat carrying colourful masks

Displaying a Figurine Collection: Shelving, Lighting and Grouping Ideas

Deon Knoetze
Practical, room-by-room advice on how to display a figurine collection effectively, covering shelving options, cabinet choices, lighting, grouping by maker or theme, and protecting pieces from dust, UV light, and accidental damage.
Vintage white bone china pitcher with embossed floral band showing the translucent quality and fine finish characteristic of bone china

What Is Bone China? The Difference Between Bone China, Porcelain and Earthenware Explained

Deon Knoetze
A clear, factual explanation of the difference between bone china, porcelain, stoneware, and earthenware, covering composition, firing temperature, translucency, and how to identify each type. Essential reading for collectors of British and European ceramics.
Wedgwood Eastern Flowers backstamp on a pedestal cake stand base showing the Etruria England mark used to date antique ceramics

How to Date Antique Ceramics: Marks, Backstamps and Clues

Deon Knoetze
A practical guide to dating antique ceramics using maker's marks, backstamps, registration diamonds, country of origin marks, and other physical clues. Covers British, European, and South African pottery with verifiable dating indicators.
Pair of mid-century modern Colorado Rockies pine-scented pottery deer figurines with mottled brown and cream glaze

How to Style Vintage Ceramics in a Modern South African Home

Deon Knoetze
Practical, room-by-room advice on how to style vintage ceramics, glassware, figurines, and South African pottery in a modern South African home, with tips on grouping, colour, scale, and lighting.