ROYAL WORCESTER

Royal Worcester porcelain as we know it was established in 1751 by Dr John Wall and William Davis. Over the following years the factory changed ownership and acquired other concerns such as Grainger & Co in 1889 and James Hadley & Sons by 1896. The factory continues today.

The subject of Royal Worcester is huge but for the purpose of this piece we take a look at wares from the early to mid twentieth century. These ware turn up frequently at auction and antique fairs and make an excellant subject for the collector and investor. Pieces can be purchased for under £100 going up to many thousands of pounds for signed impressive peices. The blush ivory wares offer good value for money. The great thing is that each piece can be dated to the year of manufacture by the use of date cyphers on the underside of each piece. Tha is not to mention the scope of collecting wares by any one of the many talented decorators employed. Wares are collected seriously to the point of obsession by some dtermined buyers worldwide who are willing to get up at four in the morning to bid on the telephone at an auction.

The ornamental painted wares produced by the factory included vases, pot pourri jars, cabinet plates and cups and saucers. All were finsihed to the highest quality very often with soft gilt detailing. Many of the shapes and decoration used cannot be described as radical designs of their day considering the modernist movement at the time. That was not the point, they were fine more traditional works of art and appealed to a wide audience. Some of the painted wares take inspiration from Corot landscapes and oriental designs which were fashionable in this county in the 1900's. The fruit painted wares are collected in their own right. Most are signed and the names to look out for are Kitty Blake, John Ayrton, Francis Chivers and Richard Sebright. Sebright worked at the factory up until retirememnt in the late 1940's and is considered by some to be the finest fruit painter of all time with vases being his work fetching many thousands of pounds. The blue and gilt fruit painted vases, (illustrated) are by Sebright and sold recently at auction for £5,000. However, signed fruit decoated plates and cabinet cups and saucers by other artists can be purchased for a few hundred pounds.

The most famous artists associated with the factory during this period has to be Harry Davis, John Stinton, Harry Stinton, James Stinton, (all related), Charles Baldwyn and George Own. Owen is credited with the stunning 'reticulated' wares a process of piercing the porcelain with inricate patterns. Harry Davis and the Stintons are renowned for their evocative scenes of Highland cattle and sheep and have a great following with buyers. The smallest pieces can fetch hundreds of pounds rising such as the sleeve vase by John Stinton discovered recently and sold for £1,200.

As with all aniques and collectables condition is always an issue, espcially with somehing as delicate and breakable as Royal Worcester. It is important to check for restoration although this should not lessen the quality piece, but can affect values. If you own a single piece or a collection of Royal Worcester, it goes without saying that it should be separately insured and it is worth getting advice on up to date values.

I have inherited this vase from my grandfather. It is marked Royal Worcester and I love it. Unfortunately one of the feet got broke off years ago and has been reglued. Can you tell me any more about it and the value in this condtion.

Your vase is a pleasing shape, painted with a peacock and signed by Walter Powell. Powell started at Hadley Worcester in 1900 and is known for his exotic birds such as the peacock on you vase. Your vase bears the date code for 1905 which fits in as Powell left worj to fight during the first world war and did not return to England. Thus his work is rare and sought after so damage is not so much an issue. I would estimate you vase to fetch £400-600 at auction.

I come from a farming background and have inherited these three coffee cups painted with Highland cattle scenes. Although I appreciate them they don't fit in with my interior scheme so would consider selling them, please advise?

I would describe your coffee cans as cabinet pieces as they were never intented to be used, they are a works of fine art. It is more than likely they are form a cased set of six coffee cans and saucers originally contained in a fitted presentation box. Dating from the 1920's each is signed James Stinton and have impressive gilding throughout, even on the inside of the cups. James was the younger brother of John Stinton and started painting for Worcster around 1902. He is particulalry associated with his fine images of game birds but did not paint them exclusively. If you were to put them into auction, a single cup and saucer should fetch £300-400.