HISTORY:
My wife "collects" but is changing which type of china/porcelain she wants (now pre-1900's) and she has come to realise that many of our treasured items need to "leave home" to find a new, caring home to live in.
Tuscan was the trading name used by RH & SL Plant, operating out of the Tuscan Works in Longton.
Operations began in 1898 and in 1966 the company was acquired by Wedgwood and although the operations continued, they were now part of the Wedgwood Group.
Yet another outstanding fine bone china teaset duo from Tuscan, the pattern name is unknown and there is only a pattern number on the underside of the saucer, D978 The pattern is an interesting monochromatic chintz-like design in a lime Green and Gold with the top border of the design having flowers, with the petals being Gold and a thick Teal coloured centre, this Teal application looks to be enamel not traditional paint and if you rub your finger over this area it feels distinctly raised from the china surface.
DLAT RATING (Darling, Look At This!) 9.8/10
RH & SL Plant (TUSCAN) Teacup - Saucer - Cake Plate Trio
(Offered separately or as a trio if all pieces still remain available)
Circa 1947+ (this backstamp was used from 1947 onwards although my wife feels that the family member who had these would have bought them in the 1950's)
Made In England
Price indicated is for one off EACH PIECE, however if both pieces are selected then an automatic discount does apply in the checkout
Bone China
Pattern: name is unknown - there is a number on the saucer only, D978
Both pieces have the decorator & gilder's marks near the backstamps, however a slight variation here...the worker who applied the Teal enamel ALSO has their own 'mark', it would appear that the decorator and enamel artist were not the same person.
Translucent, which means if held to the light you can easily see the shadow of your fingers through the china.
I have examined the decoration very closely and definitely this is hand decorated.
Gold gilding has been applied around the scalloped rim and in the centre of the saucer and on the teacup, the gilding has been applied to the top rim, inside the mouth, down each side and the back of the handle, followed by a ring around the teacup just below the handle and another much heavier Gold border around the foot, this is not to mention all the Chintz-like 'crazy pavers' type of border patterning - a lot of meticulous craftspersonship here!
Shapes: Both pieces are fairly "traditional" although the teacup, unlike many others I have seen lately, very gentle scalloping to the rim with a very slight fluting to the sides, as does the saucer. In fact it is difficult to see the fluting, it needs to be felt with the finger. The teacup handle is 'Queen Anne' like, being noticeably upturned and although the handle is quite 'thick', there is plenty of room for a ladies finger. All of that said, this duo oozes "gentleness" and a very delicate nature!
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
Makers mark printed on the base of the teacup
Makers mark printed on the base of the saucer
Absolutely hand decorated, with clearly visible marks by the three types of workers.
DIMENSIONS:
TEACUP: 88mm mouth x 74mm height
SAUCER: 141mm diameter
COSMETIC CONDITION:
This first section of the condition report is universal to both pieces, any difference or flaws are noted below this section
CLEAN
NO cracks
NO chips
NO crazing observed (both Wet & Dry)
NO discolouration or damage/wear was observed to the decorative work on either piece. No pieces have any "stains", in particular the inside of the teacup - clean and bright White!
NO knife cuts or scratches observed in the centre of the saucer.
NO observable wear at all to the Gold gilding on all pieces, not even the most handled areas such as the teacup handle and the teacup & saucer rims.
I thought to myself, so the decoration is great but I bet there are some fleabites ... nothing is perfect after almost 80 years of even occasional use. I was wrong in my assumption and after looking very carefully at the saucer in particular, nothing - just pure White china without any signs of a fleabite ... amazing!
The are no additional comments about either piece
This duo (along with a lot of it's mates) is now sitting in a cabinet in the "departure lounge" (spare room) waiting to make a trip to it's new 'forever' home
