Royal Albert | 'Rose Clouds' | Bone China Covered Serving Dish

Royal Albert | ‘Rose Clouds’ | Bone China Covered Serving Dish

A rose painted loosely enough looks as though it might still open.

With its origins in Thomas C. Wild & Sons of Longton, Staffordshire, Royal Albert became closely associated with floral bone china for the English table. ‘Rose Clouds’ takes a softer approach to rose decoration: loosely rendered pink blooms and green foliage are scattered across the white ground, with an effect reminiscent of watercolour. The backstamp carries a 2003 Royal Albert copyright date.

The covered dish is round, with twin scrolled handles and a gently domed lid with a scrolled loop handle. Loose pink roses with sage-green leaves circle the bowl, and the lid carries a lighter scattering of rosebuds. Fine gilt lines edge the lid rim, the bowl rim and the foot, with gilt touches on the handles. The interior is plain white.

Mint condition. Purchased new by The Dancing Faun Antiques and never used. No chips, cracks, scratches or crazing; the gilding remains unworn.

Key Details

• Maker: Royal Albert
• Pattern: ‘Rose Clouds’, pattern number H 5232
• Material: bone china
• Marks: green crown backstamp “Royal Albert Rose Clouds H 5232 Bone China © 2003 Royal Albert”
• Date: 2003 or later (pattern copyright date)
• Weight: 1,252 g
• Condition: mint; purchased new and never used
• Buyer profile: Royal Albert collectors, anyone completing a ‘Rose Clouds’ service, and those looking for a generous serving dish for the table

Collector Appeal

Covered serving dishes are substantial additions to a dinner service, particularly when the lid has stayed with the piece. This ‘Rose Clouds’ example was purchased new and has never been used. Its unworn gilding and softly painted roses preserve the pattern as it was made, which will appeal to Royal Albert collectors and to anyone completing a ‘Rose Clouds’ service.

Set on the table, it brings a garden with it.