Antique Royal Crown Derby Imari Kings Pattern 383 Dessert Plate c1890

This striking antique dessert plate is an authentic late Victorian example of Royal Crown Derby’s celebrated Imari “Kings” pattern, number 383. Dating to around 1890, it showcases the factory’s finest period of hand-painted porcelain, with a profusion of rich cobalt blue, deep iron-red and lavish raised gilding that epitomises the luxury taste of the era.

The plate is of gadrooned form with a shaped, twelve-lobed rim, giving an elegant, almost floral outline. The moulded gadrooning catches the light beautifully beneath the glaze, enhancing the brilliance of the surrounding enamels and gold. Measuring approximately 22 cm in diameter, it is ideally proportioned as a dessert or side plate, and forms part of the classic “Kings” table service produced by Royal Crown Derby for high-status households in the late 19th century.

The decoration is executed in the distinctive Derby interpretation of Japanese Imari style. The centre is filled with a dense bouquet of stylised peonies and scrolling foliage in iron-red and cobalt, framed by shaped reserves of deep underglaze blue. Around the cavetto and rim run panels of rich mazarine blue, overlaid with gilded leaves, tendrils and shell-like scrolls, alternating with fan-shaped medallions picked out in red, white and gold. Fine gilt latticework and foliate ornament highlight the edge, while delicate touches of white beadwork enamel within the medallions add subtle texture and visual interest.

The underside carries the characteristic red Royal Crown Derby mark of the period, incorporating the crown and intertwined “D” device used in the late 19th century, confirming production at the Nottingham Road factory. The glaze on the reverse is smooth and glossy, consistent with high-quality porcelain of this date. Also visible is a short but noticeable hairline crack running inwards from the rim, noted for accuracy; despite this, the plate rings reasonably and remains structurally sound for careful display. There is typical light wear to the gilding on the high points and minor utensil marks to the centre, commensurate with age and gentle use, but the enamels retain strong, vibrant colour with no significant losses.

This plate would make an excellent addition to an existing collection of Royal Crown Derby, Imari-pattern porcelain, or fine Victorian tablewares. Displayed on a cabinet stand, it offers a vivid focal point, the bold palette harmonising particularly well with dark wood, gilt-framed pictures and other pieces of late 19th-century decorative art. For collectors building a matched or part-set of the “Kings” pattern, the present example, even with its hairline, provides an attractive and affordable way to extend a service or to replace a missing piece with one of correct period and form.

As with all antique porcelain of this era, it is recommended that the plate now be reserved for display rather than everyday use, particularly given the hairline at the rim. Gentle dusting with a soft, dry cloth will preserve the surface, and any cleaning should avoid abrasive agents or sudden temperature changes. Taken as a whole, this c. 1890 Royal Crown Derby Imari dessert plate encapsulates the opulence and craftsmanship for which the factory is renowned, and offers both decorative impact and historical interest to the discerning collector.