Pair of antique Royal Crown Derby plates in the Imari "Kings" or "Old Japan" pattern with fluted roped rim. The plates are 22.5cm diameter. Printed mark for Royal Crown Derby and impressed stamp "Derby", c1880.
 
Popularity of the Japan or Imari patterns during the mid 19th century together with Crown Derby's growing reputation helped the business expand resulting in the company opening a new factory at its current site in Ormaston in 1877, when the printed "double D" mark as seen on these plates came into use. This mark was used between c1877 and 1890. From c1880 a year cipher commonly appeared below the mark - the absence of this indicating that the plates date from between c1877 and 1880. The pattern number 383 refers to the "Old Japan" pattern also known as the "Kings" pattern. For more information on Royal Crown Derby visit our Maker's History pages.