Found in Paris at an antique fair, this beautifully aged English ironstone sauce tureen is elegantly raised on a pedestal foot and has been well cared for so it still retains its original cover.
 
I love how it is decorated with an elegant repeating palmette border in gently pearlescent warm blush, taupe and cream tones, so typical of late Victorian style.
 
The sculptural handles and finial lend wonderful architectural character, the soft crazing and gentle patina make it a dream to display.
 
Made in England, circa 1890, it has beautiful age-related crazing and crème brulé patina, especially inside the bowl from decades of use. This patina is consistent with well loved antique ironstone and contributes to its character, charm and confirms its age and authenticity, as does the maker's stamp J Defries & sons who exported it from their London premises to France.
 
It stands approximately 6.5" tall