Royal Crown Derby Teacup ~ Fall Birds

Hi Teacup Friends – this week we have a gorgeous Royal Crown Derby set from the Neighbor Collection! Let’s start off with the original Instagram post for this lovely fall piece, shall we?

Teacup Tuesday 29 October 2019

Happy Teacup Tuesday Everybody! Wow – look at today’s exotic and beautiful cup! Doesn’t it have such a fall feel about it? When my neighbor loaned it to me quite a while ago, I knew I wanted to wait for the leaves to turn before I took its picture! The famous Royal Crown Derby pottery is responsible for these lovely birds, and it’s even gilded with 22 karats! Fly over to the blog for a whole lot more fun info and pictures. Just click my profile link, or visit MANTELandTABLE.com

Extra Teacup Tidbits

I just love this perfectly fall cup! It reminds me of one of those country house parties from the old BBC mysteries we watch. While the other guests were out running around the countryside, I would stay home and sit on the patio bundled up with some of my favorite books instead!

The gorgeous birds look almost too beautiful to be game birds. Actually, the ones with the long tails remind me more of Dr Seuss birds!

What a gorgeous cup for fall, especially on a beautiful crisp afternoon with the sun starting to set. Maybe the butler is just about to come out with some cookies to have with my tea!

Manufacturer’s Info

According to the Royal Crown Derby website, this ‘Olde Avesbury’ pattern dates from 1932. It’s still a classic, and I love the gold and the rich color combination! The company made it in lots of single colors as well. (I’ve linked a red one for you on the Shopping page under Teacups. I also found a couple other pieces in the pattern, linked on the Plates and China page.)

Besides their lovely tableware, Royal Crown Derby is particularly known for their paperweight statuettes, several of which I’ve linked on the Decor shopping page. They’re really wonderful, and if I had time – or space – for one more hobby, I’d start collecting them asap! Hmm – maybe I can move some things around … !

Royal Crown Derby History

The company that became Royal Crown Derby started in 1750. French emigree Andrew Planche set up the first works in Derby, and called the company, appropriately, Derby Porcelain. From there, the company added “Crown” in 1773, when King George III granted permission to use a crown in the backstamp. Then Queen Victoria bestowed her blessing in 1890, and they added “Royal.”

Monsieur Planche didn’t actually stick around very long, apparently. He formed a partnership with porcelain painter William Duesbury, and another man, then promptly exited the company. The other man didn’t last very long either, and Duesbury basically ran – and grew – the company on his own. At one point, he acquired Chelsea China Works and many of Chelsea’s exceptional craftspeople. The company’s reputation increased accordingly.

When Mr Duesbury died in 1786, his son, William Duesbury II, set out on a major campaign of excellence. From all accounts, he succeeded, and collectors particularly value the pieces the company produced from 1786 – 1795.

Unfortunately, WD II died at the young age of 34, and many of his artisans left the company at that time. Royal Crown Derby’s fortunes declined a bit at this point, but perked back up with new management in 1811.

Thus began the Location-and-Ownership merry go round that was so common with so many teacup manufacturers. I guess when a company has been around three or four hundred years, changes are bound to happen! For more info on Royal Crown Derby, click HERE.

Royal Crown Derby ~Behind the Scenes

It was such a beautiful day when I was taking these pictures! I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do with this lovely cup, I just knew I wanted to be outside.

I messed around with several different flower and prop situations on the patio table.

Then as so often happens, books popped into my head! I went and grabbed some with gold lettering to match the gilding on our lovely cup.

After the Royal Crown Derby Shoot

Because it was such a gorgeous day, after the shoot I curled up in the setting sun with some of my favorite fall tea! I chose one of my books to read, (‘Home’ by Julie Andrews) and spent a wonderful 20 minutes.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful Royal Crown Derby teacup with me! I’d be so happy if you sent over a Comment below – I love them all!

Teacup Shopping

If you love teacups as much as I do and want to start or add to your collection, Click HERE for the Shopping Page. Then scroll down and click on the picture of the teacup.

* This post includes affiliate links for your shopping convenience. If you click on a link and buy anything from that site during your visit, I get a small commission and there’s no extra charge for you! It really helps toward the cost of publishing Mantel and Table, and I seriously appreciate it. (You can read the whole disclosure policy here.) Thanks so much for shopping with me!

And remember, a portion of anything you buy from MANTELandTABLE.com goes to Habitat for Humanity and Proud Ground. With our purchases, we get to help people build homes for their own mantels and tables!

Have a Lovely Teacup Tuesday!

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