Six delightful examples of late 19th C French flatware with a humorous depictions of the agonies of dental extraction done in fine artwork.

They are numbered 1,2,3,6,10 and 11 and would have been part of a larger set. The inscriptions read: “Quel courant d’air!!!” “La nuit est assez agitée” “Il se couche inquiet” “Sur trois qui restent deau fendues et une gâtée” “Cett fois c’est la bonne” and “C’a Y est!!!”

Sarreguemines is a well known French china factory in Lorraine. The “opaque” production is a particularly fine type of earthenware and is sought after by collectors. Three of the plates are damaged and have had “museum repairs” but they remain a very attractive ensemble.

• From the Phisick collection