Royal Worcester
patterns, dates and history
Collectable Royal Worcester patterns
The Royal Worcester Fallen Fruit still life scenes are hand painted by a group of painters; Harry Austin, John Freeman, Frank Roberts, John Stinton and others, who specialised in depicting fruits on porcelain, often on tableware. One of the first fruit pattern artists is the painter Octar H. Copson (worked 1872-1880), who in 1880 painted a plaque to commemorate the introduction of the Pershore plum.
The Royal Worcester Highland Cattle scenes are hand painted by a group of painters, most notably the Stinton family, Henry (Grainger factory, then Royal Worcester), John (snr b1829 - retired 1895), John (jnr b1854-d1956), James (b1870), and Harry (b1883) along with others, who specialised in depicting scenes of Highand Cattle with lake and mountain views.
The Royal Worcester pheasant scenes, particularly those painted by James Stinton, are highly sought-after collectible items, often featuring intricately detailed pheasant depictions in moorland landscapes. These pieces, typically vases and other decorative porcelain items, are valued for their artistic quality and craftsmanship.
History
Ancestory of Worcester Royal Porcelain Company
In June 1751, the Worcester Porcelain Company was established by Dr. John Wall and William Davis making soft paste utility porcelains that benefitted in that they did not crack nor craze when boiling water was put into.
Very little ornamental wares, such as figurines were made. Large volumes of underglaze blue & white, and on glaze enamel decorated with Oriental or Chinoiserie style. This period ended upon the death in 1776 of Dr. Wall.
Pieces were either unmarked, or marked with cresents and fretted squares. Some items carreid copies of Meissen, Sevres and other factory marks.
Following Dr. Walls death, the Worcester Porcelain Company was run by William Davis until his death in 1783. The company was then purchased by Thomas Flight. During this period patterns became more simple, often decorated in gold & white, and many Nankin style in purple blue.
In 1789 the company received its first Royal Warrant from King George III.
Factory markings were often small cresent, or disguised or mock Chinese symbols/numerals.
In 1973, Thomas Flight was joined by Martin Barr. Wares continued to have simple plain patterns with factory markings of an extremely small cresent, or a scratched B to the base.
In 1807 family changes resulted in the firm being known as Barr Flight & Barr. Patterns styles became very flamboyant with feathers, shells in colours of Japanese patterns of the time.
Factory markings of Barr Flight & Barr or impressed B F B under a crown representing its Royal Warrant.
In 1813 the firm became known as Flight Barr & Barr.
Patterns continued to be flamboyant, colourful and finely painted with guilding - providing services to Royalty and great families world wide.
Factory markings of Flight Barr & Barr or impressed F B B under a crown.
In 1840 the firm combined with Chamberlains of which was a time where wares were considered to have declined in quality.
In 1852 the firm was acquired by W. H. Kerr and R. W. Binns. This period witnessed a great recovery of artistic quality with a wonderful service created for Queen Victoria in 1861. Mr Kerr retured 1862, and Mr Bins then created the Joint Stock Company.
The Worcester based company originally founded by Thomas Grainger 1801, changing to George Grainger & Company following the death of Thomas, succeeded by his sone George.
The company was taken over by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company in 1889, with production continuing at the St. Martins Gate factory until 1902.
The Worcester based company James Hadley and Sons operated near the main factory in Diglis 1896-1905 until it was purchased by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company.
Dating your Royal Worcester
Fine Antiques is a Christchurch based company that specialise in valuing antique china and offer a great document showing how to date Royal Worcester China from 1867 - 1963.
