Various Makers | Teddy Bear Cabinet Plates | Collection of Six | Circa 1980s–1990s

Six plates. Six makers. One shared subject — and the teddy bear has never been better company.

The decorative cabinet plate reached its commercial peak in the 1980s and 1990s, when manufacturers from Royal Worcester to Franklin Mint produced limited and open edition pieces aimed squarely at the gift and collector market. The teddy bear — by then long established as a cultural touchstone — was a natural subject, and the range of makers and styles represented in this collection reflects the breadth of that market. From Royal Worcester's photorealistic rendering of bear and kitten on fine bone china, to Franklin Mint's numbered limited edition, to the warmly illustrated domestic scenes of Diane Matthes, these plates were made to be displayed and to be kept. All six have been.

The collection comprises six circular display plates of varying diameters, each in fine bone or fine porcelain china with a gilt rim, in mint unused condition throughout. The Royal Worcester plate (21cm) depicts a classic mohair teddy bear with an orange ribbon bow alongside a sleeping tabby kitten on a damask cushion — a photorealistic treatment of considerable technical skill. The Franklin Mint plate (21cm), titled Teddy's Spring Bouquet and illustrated by Sarah Bengry, shows a dressed female bear holding a white apron full of spring flowers, surrounded by daffodils, roses, and narcissi; numbered limited edition, plate no. 6A6725. The Queen's Fine Bone China Tales of Teddies plate (20cm) depicts a bear family on a cottage doorstep with sunflowers and cottage garden flowers, illustrated by Diane Matthes. Two Continental Fine China plates from the Teddy Family Albums series by Diane Matthes (18.5cm each) depict Our New Home — a family of bears on a garden doorstep — and Bed Time — bears in pyjamas and nightcaps reading together on a patchwork quilt. The sixth plate (16cm), from Blue Waters of England by Staffordshire Fine Bone China, shows a classic jointed mohair teddy in a straw boater and sailor's neckerchief, picnicking on a red-checked cloth by the sea with a lighthouse and seagull in the background.

All six plates are in mint condition. No chips, cracks, or crazing to any piece. Gilding is intact and bright on all plates.

Key Details

• Plate 1: Royal Worcester Fine Bone China, Made in England — teddy bear and sleeping kitten on damask cushion — 21cm diameter
• Plate 2: Franklin Mint Heirloom Recommendation, Fine Porcelain — Teddy's Spring Bouquet by Sarah Bengry — limited edition, plate no. 6A6725 — 21cm diameter
• Plate 3: Queen's Fine Bone China, Made in England — Tales of Teddies — bear family on cottage doorstep — 20cm diameter
• Plate 4: Continental Fine China — Teddy Family Albums: Our New Home by Diane Matthes — 18.5cm diameter
• Plate 5: Continental Fine China — Teddy Family Albums: Bed Time by Diane Matthes — 18.5cm diameter
• Plate 6: Blue Waters of England, Staffordshire Fine Bone China — teddy bear picnic by the sea — 16cm diameter
• Gilding: Mint throughout — all rims intact and bright
• Condition: Mint — no chips, cracks, or crazing to any piece
• Buyer profile: Collector of teddy bear memorabilia; cabinet plate collector; buyer seeking a display-ready themed collection; gift buyer for a teddy bear enthusiast

All six present. All six mint. The bears have been waiting patiently.