Chosen by Princess Diana for her wedding reception, the iconic "Rothschild Bird" pattern was commissioned by the Rothschild family in 1860, establishing Herend's reputation among European royalty and design connoisseurs as the pinnacle of hand-painted porcelain artistry.

This listing includes:
• One (1) Gravy Boat with Attached Underplate - 9 1/2" length, 3 1/2" height (24.1cm length, 8.9cm height)

Condition: Excellent—no chips, cracks, or repairs. All 24k gilt trim intact with no wear on scalloped edges or painted bird motifs.

Details:
• Collection: Herend Rothschild Bird | Design: "RO" (Classic Colorway)
• Material: Hungarian hard-paste porcelain with hand-painted polychrome bird motifs and 24k gold trim
• Production Period: Late 20th century production
• Authentication: Herend Hungary backstamp with shape number 234, piece code 234A
• Rarity: Discontinued shape; sauce boats with attached stands increasingly scarce in Rothschild Bird

An ideal addition for collectors seeking authentic Hungarian porcelain rather than contemporary imitations, this sauce boat delivers Herend's documented heritage since 1826—the same romantic craftsmanship featured in royal households across Europe and chosen by Princess Diana, remaining a design editor favorite for garden-inspired table settings.

Perfect for:
• Formal holiday dinners and Thanksgiving gravy service
• Christmas dinner sauce presentations
• Easter brunch hollandaise or béarnaise service
• Wedding registry completion or bridal shower gifts
• Mother's Day or housewarming gifts for nature enthusiasts
• Generational heirloom pieces passed down through families
• Replacement pieces for inherited Rothschild Bird services
• Hot gravy, jus, or pan sauce service for roasted meats
• Warm dessert sauce presentations for bread puddings or crumbles
• Salad dressing service at garden luncheons

Looks beautiful in:
• Formal dining rooms on sideboards during service
• Garden-inspired dining rooms on buffets
• Traditional kitchens as display pieces on open shelving
• Glass-front china cabinets alongside other Herend patterns
• Butler's pantries on Welsh dressers
• Spring and summer tablescapes with botanical centerpieces

Complements Decor Styles:
• Grandmillennial and Garden-Inspired interiors
• Old Money European and Romantic Maximalist
• Cottagecore and English Country House
• Chinoiserie and Naturalist aesthetics
• Spring Garden Party and Botanical dining rooms

This sauce boat showcases the Rothschild Bird pattern's signature imagery—a pair of hand-painted songbirds perched on a stylized branch, surrounded by delicate butterflies and insects in vibrant polychrome enamels. The romantic design depicts the legendary tale of Baroness Rothschild's lost pearl necklace, discovered days later in her Vienna garden with birds playing with it in a tree—a charming 19th-century story immortalized in twelve different bird motifs across the collection. The attached underplate features complementary butterfly motifs, while the scalloped edges and bail handle are finished in lustrous 24k gold. Shape 234 represents one of Herend's classic sauce boat forms, offering generous capacity for formal service while maintaining elegant proportions.

History of Pattern and Brand:
The Rothschild Bird pattern was first created in 1860 for the Rothschild family of Europe and is considered by connoisseurs to be the epitome of hand-painting on porcelain. Mor Fischer, owner of the Herend Porcelain Manufactory, designed the pattern based on the romantic tale of Baroness Rothschild's lost pearl necklace, and the Rothschild family became important patrons of the manufactory throughout the 1850s. The pattern was officially named Rothschild Bird in 1861 and features twelve different bird couple motifs, each meticulously hand-painted by master artisans. Princess Diana selected Rothschild Bird porcelain for her wedding reception, cementing the pattern's status among European royalty. Herend, established in 1826 in Hungary, remains one of the world's premier porcelain manufactories, with every piece still hand-painted in the traditional manner at their Stoke-on-Trent workshops.

Care Instructions:
• Hand wash only with mild detergent and warm water
• Avoid abrasive sponges or scouring pads that may damage hand-painted decoration
• Do not place in dishwasher or microwave
• Dry immediately with soft cloth to prevent water spots on 24k gold trim
• Handle by the body, not by the delicate bail handle
• Store with felt or tissue paper protecting painted surfaces

Shipping:
• Museum-quality packaging with full insurance coverage
• Sauce boat and attached underplate wrapped together as one unit with acid-free tissue and bubble wrap
• Handle area reinforced with additional padding to prevent stress
• Double-boxed with cushioning material for maximum protection
• Expedited shipping available upon request
• International buyers responsible for customs duties and import taxes