Emma's Guide: The Art of Collecting Royal Worcester Porcelain

Emma's Guide to Worcester

Worcester Porcelain

By Emma Barnett

For the past 260 years, collectors have treasured Royal Worcester porcelain for its quality, craftsmanship and artistry. Sought-after pieces still achieve high prices, as shown in our 15th October Fine & Decorative Arts sale. For experienced buyers looking to expand their collection or novices making their first purchase, what should you look for when buying Royal Worcester?

The first is the backstamp. Although you cannot rely on maker’s marks to authenticate, genuine Royal Worcester pieces have a crown mark and ‘51’ in the centre (marking the company’s establishment in 1751). There are various iterations of the mark, which help to indicate age. After 1867, the company also used date codes, which allow us to ascertain the year of manufacture. Lot 284, a pair of vases, was stamped with a 1931 date code and sold for £260.

The second is a condition. Restorations can be hard to spot, and some are expertly hidden amongst the decoration. It is important to keep an eye out for signs of overpainting or remodelling. After being checked thoroughly with a UV light, we could see that Lot 285 was in good condition. The painted fruit was in its original state, having been decorated by John Freeman. The lack of chips or cracks, combined with their unusual shape, led to immense interest in the vases, which made £1,200.  

As mentioned, the quality of decoration and the shape of the item are key. Blush ivory pieces from the late 19th century are desirable, as are examples depicting painted fruit still life. These pieces are often signed, and porcelain decorated by notable Royal Worcester artists will achieve higher prices.  Names to remember are Richard Seabright (one of the greatest still life painters), Harry Stinton (known for painting Highland Cattle), and Charles Baldwyn (who depicted birds and wildlife scenes). Lot 288, a group of five plates, decorated by Richard Seabright, sold for £950.

Our Fine & Decorative Arts sales feature several lots of fine porcelain to excite connoisseurs or budding collectors. If you recognise any lots mentioned and wish to have your Royal Worcester appraised, then get in touch for a free, no-obligation valuation. We would love to hear from you.