Rare 17th century plates to be auctioned in Salisbury
Experts have described them as "as rare as you can get"
Last updated 5th Feb 2025
A pair of 17th century plates are to go under the hammer in an auction in Salisbury today (Wednesday 5th February).
The plates, described by experts as 'as rare as you can get' will be sold at Woolley and Wallis in Castle Street.
One features a depiction of the last British Catholic monarch, King James II, who reigned between 1685 and 1688. In it, he's pictured holding a sceptre and parchment.
However, this artefact does feature a crack, suggesting it was broken at one time. This is said to be a common thing among pieces picturing the King, after he was dethroned for attempting to impose his political and religious beliefs on society.
It's estimated to have a value of more than £10,000.
The second plate is equally rare and painted with a Chinese figure on rocky terrain with a a rare rim moulded with an unusual repeating shell motif. This plate is said to be worth at least £5,000.
Ceramics specialist at Woolley & Wallis, Clare Durham, said:
“Very few examples of this shape of plate are recorded, so it is incredibly rare to have two appear on the market from the same source at the same time. It seems likely that the two have always been together.
"This, coupled with the fact that neither has been seen on the market for upwards of a century, will make them highly desired by collectors on both sides of the Atlantic. Delftware with a Royal connection is also sought after and, because of his turbulent history, few contemporary pieces relating to James II survive.
"It’s incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to bring both these plates to auction and we look forward to finding them new homes where they will be treasured.”
The plates were discovered on TV's Antiques Roadshow in 2014, when a the owner took the plates worth thousands of pounds to the event in her handbag.