Royal Crown Derby Imari Style Inkwell

This is a Royal Crown Derby porcelain inkwell, made in England and retailed by Tiffany & Co. New York. It is an example of Royal Crown Derby’s Traditional Imari pattern (Pattern 2451).

• Composition and Construction: The piece is made of bone china (a type of high-quality porcelain predominantly used by Royal Crown Derby). It is a three-piece set, consisting of the main base/stand, a removable inkwell insert, and a separate lid.
  • Aesthetics and Decoration: The style is based on Japanese Imari porcelain, which became popular in Europe in the late 19th century and is characterized by a distinctive, vibrant color palette. The inkwell, hand-decorated, features a rich combination of iron red, cobalt blue, and extensive gleaming gold (gilding).
  • Motifs: The pattern is a mix of stylized floral, foliate, and geometric motifs.

Date of Manufacture and Retailer

Royal Crown Derby manufactured the inkwell in England, and Tiffany & Co New York was the retailer. It was common practice for high-end retailers like Tiffany’s to commission or stock pieces from prestigious European manufacturers and have their own mark printed on the base alongside the maker’s mark.

Approximate Date of Manufacture

The backstamp provides a clue for dating. The presence of “Made in England” in the mark generally dates the piece to the 20th century. Royal Crown Derby began placing “Made in England” horizontally beneath their crown and cypher mark around 1921. This mark continued until 1964.