Are these dishes safe for food use?

Most antique lustre pieces are intended for display rather than dining. The metallic glazes on older ceramics can contain compounds unsuited for modern culinary contact. Treat them as decorative bowls and serving dishes for dry use or visual appreciation rather than everyday tableware.

What is Fairyland lustre?

Fairyland lustre is a complex decorative line developed in the early twentieth century featuring fantastical subjects like dragons, elves, and intricate landscapes. These designs involved multiple firings and rich colour palettes. They represent some of the most intricate work produced by major English potteries during the 1910s and 1920s.

How do I date an early Persian lustre bowl?

Early Persian pieces from centres such as Kashan typically date to the pre-sixteenth century, often featuring characteristic Islamic and Seljuk artistic motifs, horse and rider scenes, and coarse earthenware bodies. Expert analysis of the clay paste, glaze craquelure, and pigment degradation helps distinguish these medieval artefacts from later European revivals.