As often is the case with English chinaware, some early pieces (particularly teacups) do not have a full backstamp but the words ENGLAND or MADE IN ENGLAND (A requirement placed upon the potteries in those times)
This saucer is one of those pieces without a backstamp but I get the strong feeling that this came from EMPIRE PORCELAIN Co. but as I haven't found the side plate in particular, I cannot confirm this but the design looks and feels like a piece of EMPIRE
UNIDENTIFIED Chinaware - Demitasse Saucer
Made in England
Circa 1940's - you may wonder "how can he say that without a backstamp?"
Two things jump out about this saucer. the fact it has been hand painted points towards pre-1960's and more accurately is the large letter B on the underneath. During World War II, all industrial efforts were to be focused on the war effort and fighting 'the Hun' with many English potteries having a very tough time during the early 1940's because of this. The British Government set maximum pricing for items, encouraged potteries to 'shed staff' so those workers could then work for the war effort. There were three pricing letters used, A B and C. That is why there is a large B underneath this saucer and clearly indicates this piece was produced around 1942, when the lettering system was introduced by the Government.
More details about the British Government control over private industry during the WWII can be found HERE
Think about it, 80 years ago someone bought this demitasse teaset during the war period. Due to the Government controls, decorative chinaware was not cheap either. But to the purchaser, this teaset was worth the expense and effort to buy it (even getting basic food items was a challenge in these times) Perhaps the lady of the house wanted some comfort from the world around her, the war, sadness, the death and destruction, this small piece of English chinaware could have been providing her with some hope for the future.
If this saucer could speak, I bet it would have some tales to tell!
Demi Saucer ONLY
Being demitasse, this saucer is much smaller than your 'standard' size
DIMENSIONS: 120mm diameter
Hand decorated
Assorted flowers, including pink roses, with foliage on two sides of the saucer
On opposing sides is decorative scroll work with a bold Burgundy 'in fill' that has a cross-hatch pattern. The scroll work is a medium brown colouring, not gold gilding
The saucer is finished with a gold gilding around the top rim
BACKSTAMP (or lack of) DETAILS:
Printed text is in Green/Black colouring
ENGLAND
B
III
Gold gilders mark which is located well away from the print but I cannot see an artist mark although it is easy to see that the artwork has been hand painted.
The three numbers 111 COULD be a pattern number but I cannot find any information about such a pattern
COSMETIC CONDITION:
NO cracks
NO discolouration
NO artwork/graphic damage at all
NO fleabites
Light crazing observed, more obvious when wet (during a wash). The crazing follows 'around' the saucer so this leaves a peculiar pattern in the glaze when dry
The underside of the saucer does NOT have this crazing
Gold gilding is in very good condition, if I was to rate the quality of the gilding I would give this 9.5/10
