Europeans prized Chinese porcelain in the 16th century. Collectors often added previous silver and gold mounts to these imported wares to heighten their importance. Porcelain bowls, flasks and dishes decorated in underglaze blue began to arrive in small quantities in England from the 1560s. This porcelain dates from 1573-85, whereas the English mounts are ca.1585.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Schatzkammer is one of the few collections of its kind formed in the late 20th century. The Schatzkammer, or treasury, was a new concept in the 16th century. It referred to a special chamber in which the most precious artefacts of a princely collection were housed. Gold and jewelled objects were mounted alongside exotic natural curiosities, including rock crystal, nautilus shells and ostrich eggs. Together they demonstrated not only the wonders of nature and the technical achievements of the artist, but also the intellect and culture of the patron.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.