Period: Late Victorian
Maker: Worcester Royal Porcelain Company Ltd. (Royal Worcester)
A pair of Royal Worcester teacups and saucers, brightly decorated in the style of the Aesthetic Movement.The background is subtly printed with a design of overlapping daffodil heads onto which are painted hand-coloured flowers and leaves, outlined in gilt. The manner of painting is influenced by an enthusiasm for Japanese arts and crafts that swept Victorian England as Japan opened to the West. Japonisme coalesced with the home-grown philosophy of the Aesthetic Movement.
The cups and saucers are similar to a Royal Worcester teapot we are also selling. The pattern numbers differ, however, as do the styles of flower painting.
The cups and saucers carry the Royal Worcester backstamp with the ‘O’ year mark for 1889. Other marks are the painted W554 pattern number, ‘XR2’ in grey, and impressed into the saucers, ‘V4’ and ‘V6.’
Condition Almost mint/perfect. A couple of tiny glaze scratches on the saucers, only visible when held up to the light. Otherwise, no signs of any use or wear.
Teacups Height: 6.3 cm; Diameter: 7.1 cm; Width across handle: 9.5 cm
Saucers Diameter: 13.8 cm
Net weight: 445g
Medium: Bone china (porcelain)
Origin: Worcester, England
