In our fortnightly sales of Antiques and Collectables there is always a great array of ceramics to choose from. One of the most popular items are China tea services and Royal Albert “Old Country Roses” is my favourite. 

The Royal Albert brand was officially established in 1904, but its origins can be traced back to The Albert Works, which was founded in 1896 by Thomas Wild and his sons. The Albert Works specialised in producing tea, breakfast, and dessert pieces with beautiful floral designs, and it quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality china. The company was named in honour of Prince Albert, who was born in 1895 and named in memory of his great-grandfather, the famous Victorian Albert.  

During the 1930’s Royal Albert bone china saw a significant increase in popularity due to the growing prosperity of the British public. People were willing to invest in luxury items and Royal Albert's striking floral designs and elegant shapes caught the attention of consumers, particularly women.  

Royal Albert Bone China comes from a high-quality biscuit porcelain, made from a mixture of kaolin, feldspar, and animal bone ash. The china is glazed twice, fired at incredibly high temperatures, then finished with intricate hand-painted designs or delicate transfers to create beautiful pieces. The unique manufacturing process creates an exceptionally strong yet fine-grained china that is resistant to fading and the wear and tear of everyday use. 

Royal Albert’s most well known patterns are the classic florals, which feature a variety of flower species and intricate designs and unique cup and handle shapes. Without a doubt, the most popular pattern is the Old Country Roses.  

Old Country Roses, Royal Albert's signature pattern, was launched in 1962 and has become well known for its association with elegant British tea parties. It was designed by Harold Holdcroft and features burgundy, pink, and yellow roses against a background of lustrous gold banding, was inspired by the colourful blooms of an English country garden. It’s a very popular pattern and an incredible 100 million pieces have been produced to date which is the record for any bone China pattern. 

Other notable patterns include - The Lady Carlyle Collection, a classic example of Royal Albert's romantic and floral heritage, is inspired by the extravagant rococo styles of the 18th Century. It features a highly stylised floral design in bright, bold colours, a deep pink border, and elaborate gold scrollwork. The Flowers of the month collection, Lavender Rose and Paradise are all sought after patterns that sell well in auction.  

Always look out for items in good condition with no damage or repairs. First quality items tend to fetch more at auction and avoid seconds which can be identified by the mark being scratched through. 

Royal Albert became a subsidiary of Royal Doulton in 1972 who were themselves taken over in 2005  by Waterford Wedgwood. Today Royal Albert is no longer produced in Britain but mainly made in the Far East. 

As always if you have any questions we are always happy to help.