Antique Royal Crown Derby Olde Avesbury Demitasse Cups & Saucers Sets #472 c1885

  

Antique Royal Crown Derby Set of 4 Demitasse Espresso Cups & Saucers Sets #472 c1885. This set is a stunning example of late Victorian craftsmanship from the Osmaston Road factory.

Pattern 472: A sophisticated Aesthetic Period design featuring exotic "Chinese Birds" and delicate floral sprays in a monochrome iron-red palette, accented by vibrant turquoise borders and hand-applied gold gilding. Each piece features the classic red-printed hallmark, consisting of a crown over interlinked "D"s.

Notably, this mark does not include the word "England" or "Made in England, " which dates the production of this set strictly between 1877 and 1890. Hand-Painted Detail: The undersides bear the hand-painted pattern number 472 in red, alongside faint impressed "DERBY" stamps in the porcelain paste. Based on the hallmark and design descriptions in the images, this espresso (demitasse) set is Royal Crown Derby. The pattern appears to be a variation of a bird-themed design, likely Red Aves (or "Olde Avesbury" in its red monochrome version), which is one of the company's most iconic and enduring patterns.

It features exotic birds and fine floral detailing, originally adapted from an embroidery pattern. The red mark consisting of a crown over crossed batons and the letter "D" (or interlinked D's) is a classic Royal Crown Derby hallmark. Timeline for this specific mark: The red printed mark with no "Made in England" text was used primarily between 1877 and 1890. In 1890, Queen Victoria granted the royal warrant, allowing the company to add "Royal" to its name. In 1891, the word "England" was added to the mark (usually vertically) to comply with the McKinley Tariff Act.

The phrase "Made in England" didn't become standard until 1921. Therefore, this set was likely manufactured in the late Victorian period c. Red Aves is popular but common; however, 19th-century versions (like this one) carry a higher premium than the modern 20th-century reproductions. To determine the exact production year, we look for specific "date cyphers" typically printed in red near the hallmark or hidden within the pattern.

The red hallmark featuring a crown over interlinked "D"s confirms that these are Derby porcelain. There is a faint, colorless "DERBY" stamp impressed into the porcelain itself, which was a standard practice for the company during the late 19th century. Pattern Number: The hand-painted red numbers "472" seen on the bottom of the saucers and cups refer to the specific pattern design. The Missing "England":The absence of "England" or "Made in England" around the red crown crown mark confirms these were produced between 1877 and 1890. Starting in 1880, Royal Crown Derby began using a system of symbols to denote the year of manufacture.

Based on the images provided, there is a small, hand-painted "V" or chevron-like mark next to the pattern number. In the Royal Crown Derby cypher system. A simple "V" or similar character often appears on pieces from the mid-1880s.

However, if you see a more distinct symbol like a vertical line with three dots or a star, that would pinpoint a specific year e. There appears to be some light rubbing on the gold rims of the saucers where the cups sit. Pattern: The hand-painted birds and turquoise borders look vibrant and well-preserved. This set is in very good antique condition for being over 140 years old.

No chips, cracks, or major repairs found. Gilding: There is som minor, age-appropriate rubbing to the gold rims and saucer centers from cup placement. Glaze: Excellent luster with minimal crazing. (Please see high-resolution photos for the most accurate representation of condition). 4.5 inches in diameter. One cup has the black stamp/mark on it. The Meaning of the Black Mark. Factory Designation: While the red marks are standard for Royal Crown Derby's main fine bone china production, the black mark was historically used for different purposes, often signaling pieces intended for hotel/commercial use or, more commonly for this era, pieces decorated outside the main factory by independent decorators. View all photos that are provided in the listing. They are part of the description.

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