Hi, all
Newbie on this forum. I have a query relating to the identification of a particular version of the classic Duchess pottery English bone china teaware.
The pattern I am trying to identify more accurately is an older one, probably from the 70's or 80's at least, and may be an earlier version of the 'Ascot' pattern.
The Ascot is a plain white 'traditional' cup with a very slight scallop to the rim of cup and saucer. It has a gold rim with an additional fine gold stripe about a 1/4" (5mm) down from the rim of both saucer and cup. It also has a single gold stripe about the base of the cup. The cup handle has gold flashes on the flat surface, and on the edges of the handle.
This pattern has 3-3/4" (87.5mm) diam cup with 5-1/2" diam (137.5mm) saucer.
The one that I have looks superficially the same, but in fact is quite different, in both embellishment and size.
Mine has only a single gold rim-line to both cup rim, base and saucer, and has only the two gold flashes on the flat surface of the handle, not the gold detail on the edges of the handle.
The cup is 4" (100mm) diam. and the saucer 5-1/8" diam.
I suspect that mine is an older, earlier version of what is now called the Ascot, but I have no way of checking as Duchess has been defunct for many years.
My father purchased four of these cups in the eighties (we think) and used them for himself only. Over the years they have whittled down to a single cup, with worn gold detailing, which now has a crack in the saucer.
If I can accurately identify the correct product I may be able to search antiquarian shops online for the correct replacement. The Ascot, apparently, will simply 'not do'!!
Can anyone shed any light on this?