Grafton (and after 1949, Royal Grafton) was the trade name used by A. B. Jones & Sons (Ltd) with their works located at Longton, Stock-On-Trent England and they operated between 1900 ~ 1971
DLAT Rating: 9/10 (Darling, Look At This!)
ROYAL GRAFTON
Fine Bone China
Translucent china, meaning that when held to the light you can see shadows of your fingers.
Circa 1957+
Teacup ONLY
Pattern: 1899 (?)
Decoration is definitely White Blackberry flowers, berries and foliage, the artwork runs continously around the side of the teacup in a band.
Gold gilding has been hand applied to the scalloped top rim, the base and down the back plus both sides of the handle
The number 1899 is hand applied (not a stamp) in metallic Gold paint on the underneath. Most often gilder's used an identifying mark to indicate their work (such as on this teacup) and not numbers and although I see others online indicating this number 1899 could be a pattern number, I am not so sure that this may be the pattern number.
Pretty sure the artwork is transferware, the artwork is very precise and upon a very close inspection I can see the tell-tale "dots" in the artwork - actually a mix of solid colours and the "dots". The Gold gilding on the other hand is definitely hand applied and this is supported by the gilder's mark being on the underneath near the backstamp (V)
Bright White base
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
(Black printed stamp)
(Crown graphic)
ROYAL GRAFTON
FINE
BONE CHINA
MADE IN ENGLAND
Gilder's mark and the numbers 1899 are to the side of the backstamp - both marked in metallic Gold
DIMENSIONS:
Mouth: 77mm diameter
Height: 78mm
CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN - not even a tannin stain inside the teacup
NO crazing - even using a "wet test" no crazing shows
NO cracks
NO chips
NO fleabites
NO wear or fading of the decorative artwork
Gold gilding is in very good condition, no wear can be seen on either the scalloped rim, base or the handle although if you look closely at the top rim gilding, it can be seen in a couple of spots where the gilder has had a "slip of the hand" - it's not perfect but still very good application.
