Westminster started business in 1954 (Melbourne) and used quality fine china blanks which were then skillfully decorated locally here in Australia.
Westminster China Teacup
White background
The design depicts a branch of flowers with foliage. These white bell shaped flowers look very similar to the Australian native "snowbells" and the lovely green of the foliage is so similar to other Australian green colours such as that used in drip glazed Diana pottery. The colour just seems to jump out as "Australian" a bit like a gumleaf (unless burned!)
Gold gilding on the top rim, handle and base area, all has the appearance of hand application
Dimensions: 82mm diameter x 75mm high
BACKSTAMP INFO:
Gold metallic graphic print
FINE CHINA
WESTMINSTER CHINA (folded around a graphic)
AUSTRALIA
CONDITION:
NO chips
NO cracks
NO discolouration
NO crazing
*** There is some medium to heavy wear to the gilding. Design graphics are both in very good condition
Gold gilding has severe wear to the lower section of the handle, in one small spot. Imagine if your finger is in the handle and you use the next finger to rest the cu handle against, that is exactly where the wear has occured.
Top rim looks to have had gold gilding ONCE but it has practically all gone now, there is just a faint trace of the original gilding.
Gold gilding around the base is in very good condition with no wear apparent.
It is quite easy to see that the gilding was hand applied.
I would have to say though that the snowbell flower designs are NOT hand painted, they just look "too perfect" to have been produced by hand.
