What is painted fruit decoration?

Still-life fruit, usually set on a mossy ground and finished with gilding. It's the factory's signature painted subject and the single commonest thing in this category on Sellingantiques. It turns up on small hollow and flat wares rather than large ones: bon bon dishes, sugar bowls, dessert dishes, plates, pin trays, ginger jars and pot pourri jars.

Why do so many titles include an artist name?

Because the factory's painted wares were signed by the decorator, and dealers put that name in the title. Around one title in nine says 'signed'. Four surnames recur across dealers: Freeman, Ayrton, Stinton and Owen. Titles carrying them sit consistently in the upper part of the range.

How old is most Royal Worcester on the market?

The dealer-supplied dates run from 1850 to 1960, and the twentieth century carries most of the category. The 1960s is the busiest single decade in the archive, with the 1920s and 1930s next. Some dating is loose. A run of listings say only 19th century, Victorian or Edwardian, while others quote a precise year read from a factory mark.

What are the candle snuffers?

Small figural cones that cap a candle flame, modelled as characters and sold by name. Mr and Mrs Caudle, Jenny Lind, Granny Snow, Monsieur Reynard, the Witch, the French Cook and 'Hush' all recur, usually with a shape number attached. They form a small but steady group. About one listing in twenty-five is a snuffer or extinguisher.

Which pieces sit at the top of the range?

Reticulated pierced work, and by some distance. A short run of pierced teapots, ewers, jars, a cup and saucer and a candy box, attributed to George Owen, holds the highest positions. After that come signed pieces with subjects other than fruit, framed plaques, and complete services or cased sets.

Do unusual shapes turn up in this category?

Now and again. A miniature tortoise, a bee-shaped pill box, a shell wall pocket, a wine cooler and a cased set made for a London retailer have each appeared once. Majolica jardinieres dated to the 1860s and 1870s have also surfaced, well outside the usual run of fruit and figures.

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Antique Royal Worcester

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Porcelain from the Worcester factory sold under the Royal Worcester name: hand-painted fruit tablewares and cabinet pieces, modelled figures, candle snuffers and cream-and-gilt blush ivory shapes, made from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th.