PORCELAIN masterpieces from the largest private collection of its kind in the world have gone on display.

The Charles Norman Collection celebrates the output of one of Britain's most prestigious ceramics firm, which was "crowned" by King George III and known throughout the world as Crown Derby.

Admirers and serious collectors can marvel at almost 200 beautiful pieces of porcelain crafted by potters, painters and gilders in the late 18th Century.

Eye-catching fruit and life-size flowerscapes provide impressive table centrepieces for the display at Fairfax House in Castlegate, York.

Spokesman Peter Brown said: "The natural world in all its magnificence was being captured by these artists, but on a very intimate and personal level. "What sets the Derby factory apart from its competitors was a commitment to producing pieces of the highest quality, and this principle is amply reflected in the examples on show in this important exhibition."

The exhibition runs until August 10.