Royal Bonn Bone Dish

A vintage Royal Bonn porcelain bone dish with a floral pattern.

Bone dishes, also known as gravy dishes or sauce boats, were originally designed to hold discarded bones from meals, particularly in formal dining settings. As dining etiquette evolved, their function shifted, and they became popular for serving sauces, gravies, or as small decorative dishes for trinkets. Royal Bonn is a brand associated with porcelain produced in Bonn, Germany, by the Franz Anton Mehlem factory, which operated from the mid-19th century until it was acquired by Villeroy & Boch in 1931. Items from this factory are known for their decorative quality, often featuring hand-painted floral designs and gilded accents, making them desirable collectibles.

• Period: Early 20th Century
• Origin: Bonn, Germany