Antique Blakeney Ironstone Pedestal Centre Piece

This antique Blakeney Ironstone pedestal centerpiece is a striking example of 19th-century English transferware, combining utility and artistry in one sculptural form. What sets this piece apart is the richness of its cobalt blue floral motif — rendered with exceptional depth and clarity — and its distinctive fluted bowl elevated on a graceful pedestal base. The rim features a delicate scalloped edge, while the interior and foot are adorned with additional floral sprays, making it visually appealing from every angle.

Though over a century old, the piece retains its vibrancy, with beautiful, even crazing across the surface — a highly sought-after sign of authentic age and charm in ironstone ware. It’s this graceful aging, along with the bold indigo palette and refined silhouette, that make it both collectible and worthy of display.

In person, the piece feels weighty and solid, with a satisfyingly smooth glaze interrupted only by the tactile texture of the crazing. The decoration is slightly raised in some areas, giving it a hand-finished quality often absent in later mass-produced ceramics. Its compact proportions make it ideal for use as a floral centerpiece, a fruit bowl, or simply as an ornamental object that anchors a shelf or table.

Blakeney Ironstone, likely produced in Staffordshire — the heart of English ceramic craftsmanship — was part of a broader 19th-century tradition of making durable yet beautiful wares for domestic use. This piece speaks to that legacy: practical, poetic, and enduringly elegant.

• Origin: England (likely Staffordshire)

• Date: Circa 1880

• Material: Glazed ironstone ceramic

• Technique: Transfer-printed in cobalt blue

• Condition: Excellent antique condition. No chips or cracks. Fine surface crazing throughout, consistent with age.

• Dimensions: Height: 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
  Diameter: 6.5 in (16.5 cm)