A Group of Majolica Tablewares

Late 19th/Early 20th Century

Comprising:
An 'Etruscan' begonia leaf-form trinket dish by Griffin Smith & Hill, 1880-1890
A begonia leaf-form trinket dish by Griffin Smith & Hill, 1870s
An osier-molded and grape-leaf compote by Griffin Smith & Hill, 1870s
A pond lily plate in the manner of Adams & Bromley
A shell-form compote in the manner of Wedgwood
A scalloped edge planter with acanthus leaf-tips and rocailles
A grape leaf-form trinket dish
A morning glory napkin plate
A molded dessert plate in the manner of Wedgwood 'Tremblay'

From the Collection of Nelson R. DeMille

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Condition
An Etruscan Begonia leaf-form trinket dish: length 9 1/4 x width 7 inches; with overall kiln speckling and crazing, now discolored; a hairline crack to the well (approx. 1 3/4 in. long) under the glaze, likely from the making; some frits to the edges and matte areas of pooled glaze at leaf vertices, now with some discoloration. The underside with impressed 'GSH' monogram within a cartouche with '*Etruscan * Maiolica' surround and upper case 'K' mark. A begonia leaf-form trinket dish: length 9 x width 7 inches; overall with fine crazing, now discolored in areas; a repaired crack to the edge approx. 2 in. long; some frits to edges, most notably to leaf tip. The underside with early impressed 'GSH' monogram.An osier-molded and grape-leaf compote: height 4 3/4 x diameter 9 1/4 inches; with overall crazing, a shallow chip to the underside of the rim; several hairline cracks emanating from the top rim. The underside with early impressed 'GSH' monogram.A pond lily plate: diameter 9 inches; overall crazing, a chip to the footrim; the well with some scratches and discoloration; a hairline emanating from the underside of the rim approx. 1/2 in. long. The underside with underglaze blue 'W' or 'M' mark and a '7' stamp.A shell-form compote: height 2 1/2 x width 8 3/4 x depth 9 inches; with overall fine crazing, a few shallow scratches to the well, and some frits to the mouths of the dolphin-form feet. Apparently unmarked.A scalloped edge planter: height 5 1/2 x diameter 7 inches; overall crazing; losses to footrim; some scratches to the glaze; the body with some sunken holes and bubbles under the glaze (from the making) and a few areas filled in (possibly later repairs). Apparently unmarked.A grape leaf-form trinket dish: length 8 3/4 x width 8 inches; with frits to rim; a hairline crack to the stem-form handle and another hairline emanating from the rim approx. 1 1/2 in.; scattered firing cracks from the making under the glaze (visible only to the underside). The underside with an impressed '3'.A morning glory napkin plate: diameter 7 3/4 inches; overall crazing; with frits to high points, including the edges and in the well; a few repairs to the edges. The underside with an impressed '7'.A molded dessert plate: diameter 8 3/4 inches; overall fine crazing; some frits and shallow chips to rim; the well with some stacking wear. Apparently unmarked.

Provenance
Freeman’s is honored to present the private collection of the celebrated novelist Nelson R. DeMille. A proud Long Island resident and U.S. Army veteran, DeMille’s first major novel, By the Rivers of Babylon, was published in 1978 and over the following decades, he authored more than thirty novels and short stories. His celebrated John Corey series, launched with Plum Island in 1997, became a mainstay of modern thriller fiction, while The General’s Daughter achieved additional acclaim through its major film adaptation starring John Travolta.Warm, incisive, and unfailingly generous with his time, DeMille was an active and beloved presence within the Authors Guild community for more than forty years and served as president of the Mystery Writers of America. An advocate to all, his passing marked the loss of not only a master storyteller, but a tireless mentor and champion of writers’ and their rights.The collection presented here reflects the discernment, curiosity, and richly lived life of a man whose stories defined a genre. We are pleased to offer collectors this unique opportunity to acquire works from the personal world of Nelson R. DeMille—objects that accompanied one of America’s great literary voices throughout a remarkable career.We invite you to explore these pieces—not merely as objects of provenance, but as elements of a distinctive story: the life and legacy of Nelson R. DeMille.