Aynsley Cottage Garden fine bone china miniature mantel clock with floral and butterfly decoration and gold bezel, made in England

Aynsley China: A Collector's Guide to Patterns, Marks and What to Look For

Deon Knoetze
A complete collector's guide to Aynsley bone china, covering the history of the Aynsley factory in Longton, Staffordshire, the key patterns including Pembroke and Cottage Garden, how to date pieces using marks, and what to look for when collecting.
Vintage green Murano-style art glass flower-shaped bowl with scalloped rim and clear base, showing the depth and translucency characteristic of quality hand-blown decorative glass

Art Glass Collecting in South Africa: How to Identify Quality Glass and Avoid Cheap Imitations

Deon Knoetze
Art glass is one of the most exciting areas of collecting, combining colour, light, weight and technique in objects made to be displayed and appreciated. This guide covers the main types of art glass found in South Africa, how pieces are made, how to identify quality and how to avoid cheap imitations.
Burleigh Ware Willow blue and white rectangular handled serving tray displayed on a clear plate stand, showing the classic Blue Willow landscape scene with pagoda, bridge, birds and dense floral border

Blue Willow Pattern: History, Meaning and Collector Appeal

Deon Knoetze
Blue Willow is one of the most recognised ceramic patterns in the world, with more than two centuries of history across English transferware, chinoiserie and domestic tableware. This guide covers the origins, design elements, romantic legend, key makers and what collectors should look for.
T.G. Green Original Cornish Kitchen Ware blue and white striped dinner plate displayed on a clear plate stand, showing the classic bold blue and white band design

Collecting T.G. Green Cornishware Blue and White Kitchen Ware

Deon Knoetze
T.G. Green Cornishware is one of the most loved and collected names in 20th century English domestic ceramics. This guide covers the history of the blue and white striped design, named storage jars, backstamps, condition tips and what collectors should look for.
Spode Sarah bone china lady figurine by Pauline Shone, white porcelain with gold detail, full length view showing period dress and hat

Collecting English Lady Figurines: Royal Doulton, Coalport, Spode and Royal Worcester

Deon Knoetze
English lady figurines from Royal Doulton, Coalport, Spode and Royal Worcester represent some of the finest names in British ceramic figure making. This guide covers each maker's style, what to look for, how to identify pieces and how to display them together beautifully.
Royal Doulton bone china lady figurine in a white top and pale blue skirt, bending towards a small white cat

Collecting Royal Doulton Lady Figurines

Deon Knoetze
Royal Doulton lady figurines are among the most popular areas of English ceramic collecting. This guide covers HN numbers, key designers, what to look for, rare examples, condition checks and how to display them beautifully.
Antique majolica scalloped display plate with hand-painted relief of a mallard duck among reeds, cream ground with coloured glazes

Majolica Ceramics: History, Origins, Characteristics and How to Identify Collectable Pieces

Deon Knoetze
Majolica is one of the most colourful and eye-catching areas of ceramic collecting. This guide covers the history of majolica from Italian Renaissance maiolica to Victorian majolica, with key characteristics, important makers, condition advice and display tips for collectors.
Art Deco-style cream lady figurine with flowing ribbon detail, full figure view showing the elongated graceful form typical of 1920s and 1930s decorative ceramic figure work

Art Deco Period Guide: How to Identify Art Deco Ceramics, Glass and Decorative Collectables

Deon Knoetze
Art Deco is one of the most recognisable design styles of the 20th century. This collector's guide covers the history, key design features, and how to identify Art Deco ceramics, glass and decorative objects.
Pair of red cinnabar-style resin Foo Dog figurines, Chinese guardian lions, seated on decorative rectangular bases

Foo Dogs and Chinese Guardian Lions: History, Meaning and Collector Appeal

Deon Knoetze
Foo Dogs, more accurately known as Chinese guardian lions, are among the most recognisable protective figures in Asian decorative art. This guide covers their history, symbolism, materials, what to look for when collecting, and how to display them at home.
Made in Occupied Japan blue and white chinoiserie plate with Willow-style design, post-war Japanese export ceramics 1945 to 1952

Made in Occupied Japan Ceramics: A Collector's Guide to the 1945 to 1952 Era

Deon Knoetze
A collector's guide to Made in Occupied Japan ceramics, covering the history of the 1945 to 1952 Allied occupation period, why the mark matters, what kinds of pieces were produced, and how to collect and style these historically significant Japanese export wares.