Royal Albert | Moss Rose | Tea Cup and Saucer | Bone China | England | c.1960s–1970s

Royal Albert | Moss Rose | Tea Cup and Saucer | Bone China | England | c.1960s–1970s

A pattern that never raised its voice — and has outlasted most of the ones that did.

Royal Albert was established at the Albert Works, Longton, Staffordshire, and has been producing bone china tableware since the late nineteenth century. The Moss Rose pattern features sprays of pink roses with accompanying buds, green foliage, and small clusters of blue flowers, scattered across a white ground. The swirling moulded body of the cup, with its elegantly scrolled handle, is characteristic of Royal Albert’s mid-century shaped wares. The pattern takes its name from the moss rose, a variety distinguished by the textured, moss-like growth on its stems and buds — reflected in the detailed rendering of the foliage.

The cup is of generous proportion, with a flared, softly scalloped rim and a scrolled handle finished with a gilt tip. The exterior carries scattered rose sprays across the swirled moulded body, continuing into the interior where a further spray is placed within the cup. The foot is accented with two gilt lines.

The saucer is of matching scalloped form, carrying four rose sprays evenly spaced around the well, with a gilt line to the outer rim. The two pieces carry different backstamp variants — the cup bears the brown crown mark, and the saucer the later printed pink mark with floral vignette — both confirming the Moss Rose pattern and Royal Albert Bone China England. The cup and saucer may have been paired from different production periods; their precise manufacturing dates have not been established.

The cup and saucer are in mint condition. There are no chips, cracks, or crazing on either piece. The gilt remains bright and intact throughout, with no wear to report.

Key Details

• Maker: Royal Albert
• Pattern: Moss Rose
• Form: Tea cup and saucer
• Material: Bone china
• Combined weight: 269 g
• Backstamp — cup: Brown crown mark, Royal Albert Bone China England, Moss Rose
• Backstamp — saucer: Pink printed mark with floral vignette, Royal Albert Bone China England, Moss Rose
• Condition: Mint

Collector Appeal

The swirl-moulded cup and matching Moss Rose decoration give the pair a coherent appearance despite their differing backstamps. The rose sprays and gilt detailing remain clear and well preserved.

Other ‘Moss Rose’ pieces from the shop: thimble, trio, 47-piece dinner service and trio and candlesticks.

Two pieces from the same pattern, marked in different hands — which is to say, from different moments in the same long story.