Place card holder (one of a pair)

Art Historical Context

This delicate place card holder, one of a pair crafted by the esteemed British firm Minton(s) around or after 1872, the opulence of Victorian tableware Stoke-on-Trent,—the heart of England's pottery industry. Made of bone china, a translucent and durable porcelain refined in the 19th century with bone ash for superior strength and whiteness, it measures a compact 5⅜ × 2½ × 2⅞ inches. Adorned with vibrant enamel decoration and gleaming gilding, it was designed to elevate formal dining by holding guests' name cards, reflecting the era's strict etiquette and love for elaborate place settings. Minton(s), founded in 1793, rose to prominence for its innovative techniques and high-end ceramics, supplying royalty and the elite. Bone china's subtle glow allowed intricate enameling—fired colors applied over glaze—and lavish gilding, showcasing skilled handwork amid the Industrial Revolution's mass production. These holders highlight how everyday objects became status symbols, blending functionality with artistry. A generous gift to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2017 from Helene Fortunoff and Robert Grossman, this piece invites us to savor the refined craftsmanship of British decorative arts, evoking grand Victorian banquets.

About the Artist

Minton(s) · 1793–2001

Minton is among the most distinguished names in the history of British ceramics, a firm whose two and a quarter centuries of production encompass everything from blue transfer-printed earthenwares to the most rarefied decorative porcelain of the Victorian age. The company was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836) in Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire — the heart of England's pottery industry. ...