This is an example of Royal Stafford China, not to be confused with the contemporary pottery named Royal Stafford, which was created in 1992 by the merger of Royal Stafford China with Barratts Of Staffordshire
Royal Stafford China was a trade name used by Thomas Poole & Gladstone Potteries
The backstamp absolutely confirms this side plate left the works in the early 1950's
DLAT Rating: 9/10 (Darling, look at this!)
ROYAL STAFFORD - SIDE PLATE ONLY
Circa early 1950's
Fine Bone China
Highly translucent chinaware (you can see the shadow of your fingers easily when the side plate is held to a light)
Cake - Side Plate ONLY
Pattern: Official pattern name is unknown but we have always referred to this design as Autumn Sycamore Leaves
The design has been hand painted, it is easy to see and confirm this by rubbing a finger over the deep orange graphic in particular, noticeably thicker than the surrounding graphics and of course the edges of the leaves are not perfect, unlike transfer-ware. The backstamp artist marks also confirm this was hand-painted all those years ago.
Three areas of the pattern on the side plate, from small to a large design with a small amount of Green.
Gently scalloped rim
Gold gilding applied to the top rim only
Bright White porcelain base
The backstamp indicates this left the works in the early 1950's
BACKSTAMP DETAILS: (Middle Brown stamped print)
ROYAL STAFFORD (On a downwards curved arch)
(Central bordered Crown graphic in the centre)
MADE IN ENGLAND (On an upwards curved arch)
BONE CHINA
On the "outside" of the backstamp, above is the artist and gilder's marks
CONDITION:
Clean
NO crazing - even using a "wet test" no crazing shows
NO cracks
NO fleabites
NO chips
NO wear to the hand crafted artwork
Gold gilding is in good condition, there IS some light handling wear on the rim where the largest artwork is located - this is NOT the unevenness I refer to below but actual handling wear, it is not terrible but it is noticeable.
Very easy to tell this side plate was hand decorated, the Gold gilding has a slight unevenness around the rim (NOT wear) and there is also a light Green short mark on the topside and very light brown mark(s) underneath - these are ALL a slip of the hand by the artist, when viewed with a magnifying glass you can see the colouring and the fact it is UNDER the glaze - Woops!
A very attractive saucer, particularly when matched with the teacup and saucer HERE, a departure from the stock standard "English flowers" themes
