Paragon China (1919 ~ 1960) was based in Longton, Stoke-On-Kent and produced very high quality fine china with a range of stunning designs, particularly breakfast settings.
Over it's history, the company was awarded a number of Royal warrants and eventually Paragon became part of the Royal Doulton group (1972)
A Royal warrant? What's that I hear you ask .... In 1933, H.M Queen Mary granted a Royal Warrant to Paragon China, this warrant being a prestigious recognition made to a company (or individual) who had supplied goods to the Royal Household for at least five of the previous seven years. This was a big feather in the cap of Paragon.
The backstamp on this trio is the "double warrant" but note that a mention of H.M Queen Mary is not marked below the warrant, it simply says By Appointment. We assume this is due to the fact that Queen Mary passed away in 1936 and over time it was no longer permitted to use her name in conjunction with the warrant.
Based on the design and shape of this trio, plus the general backstamp details, we are quite sure this is product from the 1950's period.
I have other Paragon chinaware HERE
I should warn anyone who is interested in this hard to find trio that all is not well! While the saucer and side plate are in very good condition, the teacup has seen considerable wear ... it is vital that the COMPLETE description is read below.
While you may not be interested in the complete trio due to the teacup condition, EACH piece is available separately so this "trio" could end up being used as replacements in someone's existing trio
Now let's get on with the full description ...
PARAGON - Teacup, Saucer and Side Plate
Made in England
Circa 1950's (based our deductions mentioned above)
Fine Bone China, White, which dominates the outside of the teacup and to a lesser extent, the inner centre areas of the saucer and side plate.
Translucent, meaning if held to the light you can easily see your fingers through the china
Pattern name: Pompadour
Hand decorated artwork and Gold gilding
Raised teacup handle but not to the extent of the "Queen Anne" style
The rims on all pieces are scalloped
DIMENSIONS:
TEACUP: 97mm mouth x 62mm height (typical of trio shapes from Paragon during this period, broad lower profile teacups)
SAUCER: 140mm diameter
SIDE PLATE: 157mm diameter
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
Light Brown, almost Gold like printed "Double Warrant" backstamp which looks like this ...
TEACUP
SAUCER
SIDE PLATE
OVERALL COSMETIC CONDITION:
This part of my description relates equally to ALL three pieces, additional comments related to individual pieces are made below this section
CLEAN
NO cracks
NO evidence of crazing, wet and dry tested
NO fleabites
NO discolouration to the bright White base china
ITEM SPECIFIC CONDITION:
TEACUP: This one is sad and has not stood the test of time too well ... this teacup is exhibiting quite a bit of useage wear. Inside the teacup, at the base, is a small decorative artwork and this is quite faded. Perhaps the worst and most noticeable wear is to the top rim of the teacup, much of the Gold gilding simply isn't there any longer! In the "dips" of the scalloped rim, the Gold has survived but between these dips the Gold has all but gone. I can also see some handling wear to the teacup handle Gold gilding.
So, overall, the teacup has seen a lot of use and although not physically damaged, it looks pretty "tired"
The asking price for this teacup is a direct indication of what we feel this teacup is now worth to someone!
SAUCER: In comparison to the teacup, this saucer is a "stunner" ... the decorative artwork is unworn and not damaged at all. Likewise, the Gold gilding is in extremely good condition with no signs of handling or useage observed.
SIDE PLATE: Almost as good as the saucer because while the decorative artwork is not worn or faded, I did notice on small "scratch" mark on a section of the Maroon banding ...
Nothing terrible but it is there none-the-less. The Gold gilding, like the saucer, is in very good condition with no signs of handling or useage wear at all.
So there you go, a very attractive and stunning trio from the early days of Paragon but alas, the teacup let's the side down quite a bit!
