Paragon | Victoriana Rose | Fine Bone China | Ashtray | c.1960s–1970s

An object made to receive ash that instead spent decades in a cabinet is its own quiet record of how habits change and objects remain.

Paragon China was established in Longton, Staffordshire in 1897 and became one of the more prominent fine bone china manufacturers of the twentieth century, holding royal warrants at various points from both the Queen and the Queen Mother. The presence of the “By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen” mark, together with the “Fine Bone China” designation and “L/L” suffix, places this example within c.1960s–1970s production. The Victoriana Rose pattern — scattered pink rosebuds with grey-green foliage on a white ground with gilt accents — was among the firm’s most widely produced and commercially successful designs.

The ashtray is circular with a shallow central well and a gently fluted, scalloped rim. The ground is white throughout. The interior carries transfer-printed sprays of pink rosebuds with soft grey-green foliage arranged across the well. The rim is finished in brushed gilt applied over the raised fluting, giving a warm, slightly textured edge that catches the light without appearing overly formal.

There are no chips or cracks. There is light staining to the interior well consistent with age and occasional use. The gilt remains intact with only minimal wear.

Key Details

• Maker: Paragon
• Pattern: Victoriana Rose
• Body: Fine bone china
• Backstamp: “By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen / Paragon / Fine Bone China / Made in England / L/L” — c.1960s–1970s
• Diameter: 13 cm
• Height: 3 cm
• Weight: 145 g
• Condition: Very good; light staining to well, minimal gilt wear

Paragon held a royal warrant for much of the twentieth century — which is a reasonable argument for taking the decoration seriously, even when the function has quietly slipped out of use.