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ID #SA1091773
FOR SALE
£350
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A Majolica Sardine Box by Thomas Forester & Sons, Late 19th Century
Gillers Antiques Ltd
for sale €410     $445
£350
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2023
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Id #SA1091773
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A Majolica Sardine Box by Thomas Forester & Sons, Late 19th Century

19th century
Description

This striking majolica sardine box with lid is a colourful barbotine dish created in England in the late 19th century and attributed to Thomas Forester & Sons. The dish is rectangular in shape and stands on an attached base in the form of a plate. The removable top lid features a relief decoration of fish against a seaweed background, complemented by leaf motifs around the box and bottom plate. The object is hand-painted in cobalt blue and white tones, the base is mustard coloured and the interior is covered with a turquoise glaze. The sardine box is in excellent condition.

Despite the lack of branding, Forester is one of the best known names in majolica. Despite this, most people do not immediately recognise Forester Majolica pieces as most of their pieces are unmarked. Fortunately, thanks to heavy advertising in trade magazines, we can identify some of their patterns today. Unfortunately, despite a significant amount of production, Forester has not been properly recognised for creating many of the products we see on the market today.

Dimensions:

Height: 11.7cm

Width: 23 cm

Depth: 20cm

Weight: 1233 grams

Condition: There are a few small, almost imperceptible chips on the inner rim and a small hairline crack in the enamel on the side, inside. There are no externally visible defects.

Overall, the sardine box is in excellent antique condition.

Please examine the attached photos carefully as they are an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Please note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.

Declaration

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Victorian Majolica Sardine Box to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1091773
Description
This striking majolica sardine box with lid is a colourful barbotine dish created in England in the late 19th century and attributed to Thomas Forester & Sons. The dish is rectangular in shape and stands on an attached base in the form of a plate.
“
The removable top lid features a relief decoration of fish against a seaweed background, complemented by leaf motifs around the box and bottom plate.
Gillers Antiques Ltd

The object is hand-painted in cobalt blue and white tones, the base is mustard coloured and the interior is covered with a turquoise glaze. The sardine box is in excellent condition.

fig 1. A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid.
fig 1. A Majolica Sardine Box by Thomas Forester & Sons, Late 19th Century

Despite the lack of branding, Forester is one of the best known names in majolica. Despite this, most people do not immediately recognise Forester Majolica pieces as most of their pieces are unmarked. Fortunately, thanks to heavy advertising in trade magazines, we can identify some of their patterns today. Unfortunately, despite a significant amount of production, Forester has not been properly recognised for creating many of the products we see on the market today.

fig 2. A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid.
fig 2. A Majolica Sardine Box by Thomas Forester & Sons, Late 19th Century

Dimensions:

Height: 11.7cm

Width: 23 cm

Depth: 20cm

Weight: 1233 grams

Condition: There are a few small, almost imperceptible chips on the inner rim and a small hairline crack in the enamel on the side, inside. There are no externally visible defects.

fig 3. A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid.
fig 3. A Majolica Sardine Box by Thomas Forester & Sons, Late 19th Century

Overall, the sardine box is in excellent antique condition.

Please examine the attached photos carefully as they are an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Please note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.

Date of Manufacture

Gillers Antiques Ltd has dated this Victorian Majolica Sardine Box to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1091773
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2023
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gillers Antiques Ltd Profile Page

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A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid.
1 / 13
Archive I A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid.

A Majolica Sardine Box by Thomas Forester & Sons, Late 19th Century

Archive II A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View II
Archive III A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View III
Archive IV A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View IV
Archive V A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View V
Archive VI A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View VI
Archive VII A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View VII
Archive VIII A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View VIII
Archive IX A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View IX
Archive X A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View X
Archive XI A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View XI
Archive XII A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View XII
Archive XIII A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Gillers Antiques Ltd

Gillers Antiques Ltd
Telephone 07738 009924
Location
Buckland House
Buntingford
Hertfordshire
SG9 0PY
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified Since Mar 2023
Items For Sale 401
Items Sold 564
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Gillers Antiques Ltd
Verified Since Mar 2023
View Dealer Info
Location: Buckland House, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0PY, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/gillersantiques
Verified
Mar 2023
For Sale
401
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564
A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid.
A majolica sardine box by Thomas Forester & Sons, late 19th century
Ref: SA1091773
A rectangular Victorian majolica sardine box with matching undertray featuring cobalt blue fish relief decoration on an off-white lid.
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FAQs

A Victorian majolica sardine box is a decorative covered earthenware dish produced during the late 19th century specifically to serve canned sardines at the dining table. These pieces feature lead-glazed relief moulding, often depicting aquatic themes such as fish, sea kelp, or rope-twist borders.

Majolica of this period was crafted from molded earthenware clay finished with colourful lead glazes. The glazes were tinted using metallic oxides, such as cobalt for deep blue tones, creating vibrant surfaces over three-dimensional low-relief designs.

Authentic 19th-century majolica exhibits rich lead glazes, sharp molded detail, and stilt marks on the underside from kiln firing. Original pieces frequently feature impressed maker marks, painter initials, or Victorian design registration marks on the base.

A majolica box serves as a functional or decorative accent on a sideboard, dresser top, or open shelving unit. Its detailed relief modelling and deep colouration complement classic country interiors as well as modern coastal-themed displays.

Majolica should be washed gently by hand using lukewarm water and a mild detergent, avoiding prolonged immersion which can penetrate glazed crazing. Antique ceramics must never be placed in a dishwasher or exposed to extreme heat fluctuations.
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