HISTORY:
My wife "collects" but is changing which type of china/porcelain she wants (now pre-1900's) and she has come to realise that many of our treasured items need to "leave home" to find a new, caring home to live in.
This teaset poses a mystery for her, even with her vast knowledge of such things ... this is not to be confused with the famous ROUEN porcelain from across the channel in Normandy. She was attracted to this teaset because of the unusual artwork in a style that she really liked but never did she find out much about the maker, Rouen in England. I have also tried to research this maker but most information seems related to the French porcelain, with practically no mention of an English "Rouen"
"Home base" for a lot of the ceramic pottery works was around the Staffordshire area and many did not go on to become "household' names, particularly with the onset of war as many were forced to close by the British Government during the war period and never reopened again ... lost in the mists of time! We strongly suspect that Rouen was one such manufacturer.
DLAT RATING: 9.5/10 (Darling Look At This!)
The striking feature of this teaset decoration is that it initially appears to be "Imari-like" but this is not Japanese or Chinese! Perhaps the inspiration came from those designs. Then you start to think "Art Deco" with the geometric designs and colouring - it is certainly a departure from your standard "Flowers of the fields" type of teaset.
This is of course hand decorated, using colours of Black, Orange, deep Red's and splashes of Lime Green infilling some areas of the design. Extensive use has also been made of hand applied Gold gilding throughout the design.
ROUEN - Teacup, Saucer & Side Plate (Offered separately or as a trio if all pieces still remain available)
Made In England
Price indicated is for EACH PIECE, however if all three pieces to create a trio are selected then an automatic discount does apply in the checkout
Circa 1930's ~ Early 1940's
Fine Bone China
Pattern: 3830
Translucent, which means if held to the light you can see the shadow of your fingers through the china
The decorative work has absolutely been undertaken by hand, obviously by a very skilled worker (probably a woman although some works did train males in this work) particularly the inside area of the teacup, this always amazes me! Such a small space to work in and so very skilfully decorated,
Background colour of the ceramic is a brilliant White
Gold gilding has all been hand applied not only around the rims but extensively within the design on all pieces.
Shape: The teaset, including the teacup) has been created in a very "traditional English" style with the standard sized teacup having smooth sides (no shaping or embossing) and an "ordinary handle" - this teaset is all about the pattern design and not the shapes!
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
These photographs are of the actual backstamps, not obtained online somewhere!
Makers mark printed on the base of the teacup (under the glaze)
Makers mark printed on the base of the saucer (under the glaze)
Makers mark printed on the base of the side plate (under the glaze)
DIMENSIONS:
TEACUP: 73mm mouth x 68mm height
SAUCER: 141mm diameter
SIDE PLATE: 155mm diameter
COSMETIC CONDITION:
This first section of the condition report is universal to all three pieces, any difference or flaws are noted below this section
CLEAN
NO cracks
NO chips
NO crazing (amazing considering the age!) both wet & dry checked
NO central marks or scratches to either the saucer or side plate
NO discolouration observed to the brilliant White base porcelain, particularly inside the teacup where no tannin or other staining has occurred.
NO significant damage or wear is apparent to the decorations
NO observable wear at all to the Gold gilding on all pieces, not even the most handled areas such as the teacup handle and rims edges.
NO fleabites to the teacup
TEACUP:
No additional comments about this piece
SAUCER:
On the underside I can feel one very small fleabite. I also noticed a "funny" Black mark and looked much more closely. It is NOT a crack but as though something has been splattered in the area - normal cleaning (soap and warm water) was unable to shift it. No corresponding mark on the topside.
SIDE PLATE:
On the underside I can feel one very small fleabite here too. I also noticed a small "dot" and looking at it closely, it is actually Blue and appears to have been purposely applied by the artist (not an accidental stroke but a definite dot)
There are no further comments specific to any individual piece
