part 2 of 3
THE SECOND DUESBURY
ROYAL CROWN DERBY CHINA |
Pieces decorated by these artists are very collectable and,
in good condition, valuable. Andrew Dando explains, 'Derby was uniqueduring this period for its use of identifiable artists who
used their own marks in addition to the generic Derby marks. Hand-painting by a
leading artist can make an incredible difference in value. A typical Derby
coffee can, c.1800, with a blue border and gilding is worth around £150. The
same coffee can with a small hand-painted panel of a shipping scene by George
Robertson will push _ the value up to £4,000.'
These hand-painted old Derby,pieces can be found at fairs
and porcelain dealers' shops, and a well-known name adds considerably to the
value of a piece. A yellow-ground service featuring landscape views by George
Robertson, c.1797- 1800, sold at Sotheby's recently for £26-450 on an estimate
of just £3,000-4,000.
ROYAL CROWN DERBY CHINA |
THE BLOOR YEARS
This period began in 1811, when the factory was acquired by
Robert Bloor for £5,000. The Bloor years are often identified with declining
quality at the Derby factory, partly because Bloor was an unsuccessful manager,
but Bloor pieces are still sought-after. This was a period of change in the
industry, when English manufacturers adopted the new translucent bone china
body.
'The Bloor period was a time of
higher production, and a lesser quality ceramic body. Figures and flatware from
this early period are still desirable but susceptible to crazing. This is not
necessarily detrimental to the value, unless staining has resulted. Stained
pieces should be avoided.'A pair of Bloor porcelain plates with hand-painted floral scenes of average quality and gilded edges, in good condition, would be valued at around £400.
Some Bloor figures are good quality and very colourful, and -generally- worth in the region of £200-300. Some rare figure groups in good condition can be worth £1,000 or more.
The factory eventually closed in 1848 as a result of Bloor's poor management.
ROYAL CROWN DERBY CHINA |
A NEW FACTORY
The Nottingham Road factory closed and artist Sampson Hancock, along with six other craftsmen, established a new factory a short distance away in King Street. The new firm traded as Locker & Co, and from 1859 as Stevenson & Co, followed by Stevenson, Sharp & Co until 1863. From 1866 until 1935, the company was known as Sampson Hancock. In 1935, this factory merged the Royal Crown Derby Company,
Despite the changing identity of the factory, the Derby creative traditions remained intact, with many of the old shapes and patterns being produced herq. Production included figures, gilded tablewares, and ornamental items such as vases and pastille-burners. Imari ware became particularly popular during this period, with its rich red, blue and gold Oriental-inspired patterns appealing to a society dedicated to the exotic styles of Eastern countries. Derby Imari ware from the 18th to the 20th century is highly collectable today,
FURTHER BLOG READING
part 1 ROYAL CROWN DERBY
part 2 ROYAL CROWN DERBY CHINA
part 3 CROWN DERBY
Collectibles Coach
part 2 ROYAL CROWN DERBY CHINA
part 3 CROWN DERBY
Collectibles Coach
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