A Message from Ruth at Antiques And Teacups

Welcome to the blog of Antiques And Teacups! Let's share a cup of tea and talk about the things we love...like teacups, antiques, collectibles, visiting England, antiquing and learning about victoriana and quirky gadgets. Fun!

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Tuesday Cuppa Tea - Royal Warrants Explained

Hello and welcome to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!  Wishing my Jewish friends a happy Rosh Hashanah!



We are in San Francisco with the kids, as a post doctor induced stress reducer  Thank you all for your wishes, thoughts, prayers and comments. It's not over yet, more tests to go when we get back, but we are coping well, as we know Whose hands we are resting in!  But, as not at home, no no tea table today...just teacups!




Ever wonder what a Royal Warrant is...and how you get it?  I had a customer ask about it this week and also came across the same question emailed from this blog from someone visiting for Tuesday Cuppa Tea.


Royal Warrants were designed to represent patronage by the British Royal family. Originally the warrant even named the royal personage and meant that their wares had been purchased (or received from the company as a gift and approved) by the royal person named. I am using Paragon England as exa,ples, as they are frequently seen....and here is an example:




The mark belongs to the teacup below...a  teacup was made by Paragon and bears the Royal Warrant above identifying the item was made between 1937-1952. The mark is for Queen Elizabeth, affectionately known until her death as the Queen Mum, wife of King George VI and her mother-in-law Queen Mary who died in 1953. 

We know the exact date for this teacup, because, not only does the mark date it, but the teacup was made to commemorate the Royal wedding of the then Princess Elizabeth to Philip Mountbatten in 1939 in a variant of the Indian Tree pattern in hand colored on transfer with hand painted enamel accents and an unusual border of bells and ribbons.





The use of a known pattern with substituted bell border was a measure of post-World War II austerity embraced by the Princess Elizabeth for her wedding.

This mark has only one warrant, for Queen Elizabeth II, and is an early version of those still being used by Paragon, as Queen Elizabeth II is still on the throne, and her mother the Queen Mum dies in 2001. The teacup below was made in the 1960-1970s, and maybe was just not the Queen Mum's cup of tea...

For more info on these 2 teacups at Antiques And Teacups, click on the photos. The following teacup is from my archives...I had a whole set of it but it all sold quickly.

Paragon got into serious trouble in 1930 by overstepping their position. Paragon had made the approved design for the christening of Queen Elizabeth II and were awarded the Royal Warrant. BUT without permission they called themselves Royal Paragon and were chastised for it. When they brought out this design for the birth of younger sister Princess Margaret they had to go back to Paragon which is still used as their name  today.






As to Royal Warrants today, in the late 1950s that strict application of the name Royal in a pottery's name was relaxed, and there was a proliferation of names with Royal in them which is a trend that continues today. Now, it just is a marketing choice and means they think Royal will give a bit of cache' to their china!
So now you know!

I hope to be able to join these fun blog parties, and I hope you will visit them too!

Thanks so much for joining me for tea!  Here is the linky for your tea related posts...please remember that it is SSSLLLOOOOOOWWWW but if you are patient...it's there! And I love to read your comments, and I do read every one if I can find and can get to you to visit!  If you comment from Google+…it isn’t easy...so forgive me if I am 


9 comments:

  1. I'm always so amazed at your stunning ancient teacups, they're such gems, my dear Cindy !

    Hope you're enjoying a wonderful time, I'm sending blessings on your week just begun, may it be as joyful as ever

    Xx Daniela

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  2. I always learn something from you, Ruth! Thank you for explaining the Royal Warrant. I especially love the pink teacup that you shared. Thanks for hosting and I hope you and your hubby enjoyed being in San Francisco with family.

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  3. Another interesting post, Ruth! I especially like your last teacup in yellow with the birds (budgies or parrots?) on it. Just lovely! Enjoy your visit with your family and take care.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  5. Fascinating! Paragon is one of my favourite china makers so I enjoyed learning about the Royal warrants. Thank you for hosting and enjoy the first week of October!

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  6. I've never seen a royal warrant in honor of a royal birth before! (One of the many things that makes me want to catch up on my blog reading pronto.) And now I've got to figure out whether it's you or your husband who has been sick. I sure do hope you both are well now!

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  7. The pink and black teacup is so pretty! Thanks for hosting!

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  8. Ruth, thanks for adding to my knowledge about royal warrants AND the use of the word "Royal" in brand names. I always learn something new from your posts. Glad to hear you are de-stressing in SF and coping despite having more tests in your future.

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  9. Happened on to your page while learning about warrants. I love, love, love your blog and can't wait to read more! I just began collecting teacups!

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Thanks for visiting and we love to hear from you! We read every comment. If my husband's health permits, I love to visit andreply. Have a wonderful day and a cuppa tea always at hand! :)

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