Richmond | 'Blue Rock' | Bone China Demitasse Cup and Saucer | England, Mid-20th Century

Richmond | 'Blue Rock' | Bone China Demitasse Cup and Saucer | England, Mid-20th Century

A small cup for strong coffee, scattered with blue flowers as fine as pen strokes.

Richmond was an English bone china brand within the Allied English Potteries group, which also included Royal Albert. When the group was reorganised in the early 1970s, some Richmond designs continued under the Royal Albert name and others were discontinued. 'Blue Rock' was one of Richmond's named patterns. The undated crown backstamp identifies the Richmond brand but does not give a year of manufacture.

The cup is tall and gently flared, with lightly moulded panels and a scrolled, open handle, and stands on a short foot; the saucer has a shaped rim edged in gilt. Sprays of blue star-like flowers and paler lilac blooms with striped centres are scattered around the cup and the saucer border, leaving the white ground open between them. The backstamp shows a crown above "Richmond Bone China England", with "Blue Rock" in blue script.

The set is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks or crazing, and the gilding and pattern are well preserved.

Key Details

• Maker: Richmond, England
• Pattern: Blue Rock
• Date: mid-20th century (attributed; backstamp undated)
• Material: bone china
• Pieces: demitasse cup and saucer
• Decoration: blue and lilac floral sprays; gilt rims
• Marks: crown, "Richmond Bone China England", "Blue Rock"
• Condition: excellent; no chips, cracks or crazing; gilding well preserved
• Buyer profile: anyone setting an after-dinner coffee table, and collectors of English floral bone china

Collector Appeal

The fine floral sprays and generous white ground give this demitasse set a notably light appearance. Its gently flared cup and shaped saucer bring a little elegance to the after-dinner coffee table, whether used alone or among other English floral bone china.

Coffee after dinner, and a few blue flowers to keep it company.