Early 19th Century Royal Crown Derby Cobalt and Gilt Soup Plate 25cm

This impressive early 19th century Royal Crown Derby soup plate is a fine example of the factory’s richly decorated wares from the Regency period, dating approximately between 1806 and 1825. Measuring about 25 cm in diameter (as confirmed by the tape measure in the images), it is a substantial piece that would originally have formed part of an elegant dinner or dessert service.

The plate is made in a deep-welled “soup” or “bowl plate” form, with a broad, gently sloping rim leading into a rounded central basin. The main visual impact comes from the dramatic cobalt blue ground to the rim, which is lavishly embellished with hand‑painted burnished gilt. The gilding is executed in an exuberant neo‑classical pattern of scrolling foliage, palmettes and stylised flowerheads, typical of Derby decoration in the first quarter of the 19th century. The scrolling leaves and radiating palmettes echo fashionable Regency taste and compare closely with patterns recorded in contemporary Crown Derby pattern books.

The cavetto and centre of the plate are left in a clean, soft white, providing an attractive contrast to the saturated blue of the border. A delicate gilt foliate rosette is painted in the very centre of the well, tying the decoration of the rim into the interior and emphasising the symmetrical design. A fine gilt line separates the white interior from the cobalt border, and a further gilt band runs around the outer edge of the plate, completing the luxurious appearance.

The underside is glazed and shows the typical early Derby feel with a shallow foot ring. A hand‑painted iron‑red mark appears near the centre of the base; while the photographs do not allow a fully legible reading, it is consistent in style and colour with early Crown Derby painter’s marks used alongside or instead of full factory marks in this period. There are also small painted workman’s or pattern numbers, again characteristic of Derby production in the early 1800s.

Condition, based on the images, is consistent with an antique plate of around 200 years of age that has seen careful use. There is some light surface wear and minor utensil marks to the white centre, and very slight rubbing or softening to the high points of the gilding, particularly on the rim edge, though the majority of the cobalt and gilt decoration remains crisp and vibrant. The glaze shows a few small firing specks and natural manufacturing irregularities, expected in early 19th century porcelain. No obvious major cracks or heavy restoration are apparent from the photographs; prospective buyers should, however, refer closely to the images for small rim nicks or age‑related imperfections.

This piece illustrates the transition of Derby from late Georgian into full Regency style, combining a restrained white centre with an opulent border design. Its generous size and deep well mark it out as a soup or entrée plate rather than a flat dessert plate, making it particularly appealing to collectors aiming to assemble or complement an early Crown Derby dinner service. The bold cobalt ground and elaborate gilding pair well with other rich “Old Imari” type patterns, as well as plainer white and gold services of the same era.

For collectors, decorators or dealers, this Royal Crown Derby plate offers both display and practical potential. On display, the dark blue and burnished gold read exceptionally well in cabinet lighting, while the early date places it in a desirable collecting period for English porcelain. As with all genuine antique ceramics, it should be washed by hand and not subjected to dishwashers or harsh abrasives in order to preserve the original gilding. Overall, this 25 cm soup plate represents an attractive and authentic example of early 19th century Royal Crown Derby craftsmanship.