Royal Albert | Sweet Romance | Bone China | Open Sugar Bowl | England | c.1960–1978

Royal Albert | Sweet Romance | Bone China | Open Sugar Bowl | England | c.1960–1978

The open sugar bowl is the most sociable piece on the tea table — it assumes company.

Royal Albert, which grew from Thomas C. Wild’s Longton pottery business, built its reputation on finely decorated English bone china, particularly floral tableware. Produced from 1960 to 1978, the Sweet Romance pattern sits within the firm’s mature mid-century output — a period defined by bold, centralised floral compositions rather than scattered ornament. The deep crimson bloom stands out clearly against the white bone china and cool grey-green foliage.

The bowl is of a classic footed and gently waisted form, with a softly lobed and scalloped rim. The exterior carries a large, fully open crimson rose with accompanying buds and foliage arranged across the body. A fine gilt line follows the rim, while a double gilt band defines the foot ring. The interior is plain white, providing a clean contrast to the exterior decoration.

The bowl is in excellent condition. There are no chips, cracks, or crazing, and the gilt remains intact and bright throughout.

Key Details

• Maker: Royal Albert
• Pattern: Sweet Romance
• Material: Bone china
• Form: Open sugar bowl
• Origin: England
• Date: c.1960–1978
• Diameter: 10.4 cm
• Height: 6 cm
• Weight: 153 g
• Condition: Excellent

Collector Appeal

The open form allows the large crimson rose and grey-green foliage to remain clearly visible, framed by the gilt rim.

Other ‘Sweet Romance’ pieces from the shop: tea trio, tea plate and cake plate.

A pattern that stayed in production for eighteen years earned that longevity one tea table at a time.