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.
This sugar bowl/whipped cream bowl is quite special because the "traditional" flower designs abound but not many 1920's ~ 1930's Art Deco designs are to be found, if Art Deco period is your "thing" this piece from Paragon is a perfect example.
Paragon China Sugar Bowl/Whipped Cream Bowl
Produced between 1919 & 1930 (based on the backstamp)
Pattern name: unknown
Style: Art Deco
Dimensions: 125mm diameter x 55mm high
Weight: 125g
This is very fine bone china, you can notice it immediately when lifted as it is very light for the size.
The china is translucent i.e hold to the light and you can see the shadow of your fingers through the china
The design of this piece uses a black vellum (film) transfer border. A collection of very colourful fruit are depicted and these are hand painted, not a transfer. The artist skill level is very high, this piece is skillfully painted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
SUGAR BOWL/WHIPPED CREAM BOWL:
Make no mistake, this is quite a large bowl and it is for this reason that we actually never put sugar (raw or cubes) into the bowl, it is so big that no-one in their right mind is going to need THAT much sugar! But we did have a couple of "afternoon tea" sessions where Art Deco was the theme and this bowl was perfect for the whipped cream (scones and cream dear?) In our view, a much more sensible use (than sugar) of this bowl.
Background colour is White and a very light Yellow (Lemon)
Gold gilding has been applied to the top lip and two rings near the base.
NO signs of any wear to the gilding.
NO chips
NO fleabites
NO cracks
NO crazing
*** NOTE *** There is a couple of VERY LIGHT (but observable) small brown spots on the body. These marks/spots are UNDER the glaze, goodness knows we have tried to clean them but it became obvious these were something to do with the china underneath the glaze.
Inside the bowl is very good, none of these "marks or stains" are apparent
The artist hand artwork (within boundaries set by the vellum) is in excellent condition, no wear apparent.
BACKSTAMP INFO:
(In flowing handwriting, black)
Vellum
China
by Paragon
England
There are 3 artists marks (gold, black and green) and these were extremely important to the pottery artist so that their work could be credited and paid for - they were paid "per piece" by the pottery.
