Royal Albert | 'Old English Rose' | Bone China Tea Trio | Brushed Gold | c. 1950s–1960s

Royal Albert | 'Old English Rose' | Bone China Tea Trio | Brushed Gold | c. 1950s–1960s

Roses in two shades of pink, set close together, the way they grow along an old garden wall.

'Old English Rose' is one of Royal Albert's rose patterns, made at the firm's works in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent. The pattern sets full-blown roses, deep cerise and soft pink, against fresh green leaves on a white ground. This example has the distinctive brushed-gold edging associated with certain mid-20th-century versions of the pattern, giving the rims a textured finish rather than a plain gilt band.

The trio comprises a teacup, saucer and side plate. The cup has a flared rim and an ear-shaped handle, and stands on a pedestal foot ringed with gilt lines. The saucer and plate have gently scalloped rims. On the plate and saucer, the roses circle the border, leaving the centre white, and on the cup they wrap round the body. All three pieces have gilt rims with a softly speckled, brushed-gold finish, applied by hand. The backstamp gives the pattern name in pink script above a green crown, with "Royal Albert Bone China England".

The trio is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, crazing or restoration, and minimal wear to the gilding.

Key Details

• Maker: Royal Albert, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent
• Pattern: Old English Rose, brushed gold trim
• Date: c. 1950s–1960s (by backstamp)
• Material: bone china
• Form: tea trio (teacup, saucer and side plate)
• Decoration: cerise and pink roses with green leaves; gilt rims with brushed gold finish
• Marks: "Old English Rose" in pink script, green crown, "Royal Albert Bone China England"
• Weight: 396 g per trio
• Condition: excellent; no chips, cracks, crazing or restoration; minimal wear to the gilding
• Buyer profile: collector of Royal Albert rose patterns; someone building a mixed vintage tea table or an 'Old English Rose' service

Collector Appeal

The brushed-gold edging and green crown backstamp distinguish this version of 'Old English Rose'. The trio forms a complete place setting and sits comfortably alongside other Royal Albert rose designs or within a larger 'Old English Rose' service.

Other 'Old English Rose' pieces from the shop: large teapot, cake plate, open sugar bowl, milk jug and 21-piece tea set.

A rose is gone within a week; one fired into china outlasts the gardener, and the garden too.