Royal Crown Derby's Kings pattern stands as one of the manufactory's most celebrated Imari designs—bold cobalt blue and iron red florals outlined in lavish 22-karat gold that has graced formal tables since the early 19th century. This covered sauce tureen with matching underplate delivers a complete Victorian-era set (circa 1878-1890) from Crown Derby's pre-royal warrant period—authenticated by the red crown and crossed batons backstamp and impressed "DERBY" first-quality mark from the Osmaston Road factory.

This listing includes:
• One (1) Covered Sauce Tureen with Lid - 8.5" length (21.6cm), 5" width (12.7cm), 5.5" height (14cm), featuring traditional ladle notch
• One (1) Matching Oval Underplate - 9" length (22.9cm), 6.75" width (17.1cm)
• Total height with lid: 6" (15.2cm)

Condition: Excellent antique condition—no chips, cracks, or repairs. The 22-karat gilding remains vibrant with minimal rubbing to high points, consistent with well-preserved 19th-century cabinet porcelain. All hand-painted decoration intact.

Details:
• Collection: Crown Derby (Pre-Royal Warrant Era) | Design: "Kings Pattern" (Pattern No. 563, also known as "Old Japan")
• Material: Victorian-era English bone china with hand-painted Imari-inspired decoration in cobalt blue, iron red, and high-relief 22-karat gold
• Production Period: Circa 1878-1890 (confirmed by backstamp combination)
• Authentication: Red crown and crossed batons backstamp without "Royal" designation, plus impressed "DERBY" first-quality mark from Osmaston Road factory
• Rarity: Complete sauce tureen sets with original matching underplates from this pre-1890 period are increasingly scarce in the collector market

An ideal addition for collectors seeking authentic Victorian-era English porcelain rather than 20th-century reproductions, this complete set delivers documented 1878-1890 provenance from Crown Derby's celebrated Osmaston Road period—when hand-painting standards and materials remained at their zenith before the company received Queen Victoria's royal warrant in 1890.

Perfect for:
• Completing existing Kings pattern services from the Victorian era
• Thanksgiving and holiday table service with period-appropriate antiques
• Wedding gifts for couples building museum-quality collections
• Adding authenticated 19th-century Imari pieces to formal services
• Display as investment-grade decorative art from the 1880s
• Formal dinner parties showcasing pre-royal warrant Derby porcelain
• Housewarming gifts for collectors of documented Victorian antiques
• Anniversary gifts celebrating 1878-1890 English craftsmanship
• Sauce service for Sunday roasts and traditional British dining
• Centerpiece presentations on sideboards and dining tables

Looks beautiful in:
• Formal dining rooms alongside other Victorian-era antiques
• Butler's pantries displayed as statement pieces
• China cabinets with authenticated 19th-century porcelain collections
• Traditional English Country House interiors
• Museum-quality display cases for pre-1890 Crown Derby

Complements Decor Styles:
• Victorian and Edwardian formal dining aesthetics
• Grandmillennial and Maximalist interiors
• Old Money European collecting traditions
• Imari pattern collections across makers
• Traditional English Country House style

The Kings pattern showcases Crown Derby's mastery of the Imari aesthetic during the late Victorian period—bold cobalt blue scrollwork, iron red florals, and elaborate high-relief 22-karat gold detailing create a richly layered design inspired by Japanese Imari porcelain. This circa 1878-1890 sauce tureen features the traditional ladle notch that distinguishes it as a specialized serving piece, while the matching underplate—often separated from tureens over 145+ years—significantly elevates both the completeness and collector value of this set. The combination of the red crown and crossed batons backstamp (pre-dating the 1890 royal warrant) with the impressed "DERBY" mark confirms first-quality production from the Osmaston Road factory during Crown Derby's golden age of hand-painted porcelain.

History of Pattern and Brand:
The Kings pattern (Pattern No. 563, also known as "Old Japan") was among Crown Derby's earliest and most enduring Imari designs, introduced in the late 18th century and produced continuously throughout the 19th century. This sauce tureen dates to the crucial period of 1878-1890, shortly after the company moved to its prestigious Osmaston Road factory in 1877—an era when Crown Derby's Imari patterns achieved immense popularity among wealthy Victorian households. The specific backstamp combination—red crown and crossed batons without the "Royal" designation, plus the impressed "DERBY" first-quality mark—confirms this piece was manufactured during the pre-royal warrant period, before Queen Victoria granted the company its royal appointment in 1890. Pieces from this 1878-1890 window represent the manufactory at the height of its hand-painted excellence, when traditional gilding and decoration methods remained uncompromised by later mechanization.

Care Instructions:
• Hand wash only with gentle dish soap to preserve 22-karat gold
• Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, or harsh chemicals
• Do not microwave or dishwasher due to gold decoration and antique status
• Dry promptly to prevent water spots on gilded areas
• Handle lid carefully by the finial—avoid thermal shock from temperature extremes
• Store with felt or cloth separators between lid and bowl

Shipping:
• Museum-quality packaging with full insurance
• Each piece individually wrapped in acid-free tissue and multiple layers of bubble wrap
• Lid packed separately from tureen to prevent pressure damage during transit
• Boxed with substantial cushioning to prevent any movement
• Expedited shipping available upon request
• International buyers responsible for customs duties and import taxes