TABLEWARE FIT FOR ROYALTY

Luxury fine bone china specialists, Royal Crown Derby unveils its King Charles III Coronation Collection

Founded in 1750, Royal Crown Derby is a global luxury maker of fine bone china, synonymous with elegance, innovative design, fine craftsmanship and creative excellence. They are the last prestige ceramics brand to make its products exclusively in England.

Seventy-five skilled artisans craft tableware and home accessories at the company’s site in Derbyshire, realising the brand’s commitment to superlative quality.

As much as a story about a fine bone china company, it has also been a story about people exhibiting a passion for perfection and fulfilling long-held ambitions to take the brand from its roots to the blossoming international reputation it has today. This family-run business is renowned for crafting the finest tableware and home accessories for esteemed clients, including royal households, prestigious retailers, first-class hotels and restaurants.

Royal Crown Derby is unique in many ways, however one aspect of the brands history that sets them apart is their deep-rooted connections to royalty. The iconic brand is steeped in royal history – in 1755, King George III granted the company the use of the crown in its backstamp, which continues to be used to this day, and just six years later they produced their first Coronation commemorative in 1761 for his crowning. Recently, the Derbyshire-based business unveiled its Coronation Collection to commemorate King Charles III. The range distils the essence of British craftsmanship. Prestige, artisanal and refined, the twopart limited-edition range pays homage to the momentous royal occasion, with collectors celebrating from across the world. Drawing inspiration from the Coronation ceremony, together with the commitments of the King throughout his life, this remarkable collection has been created with passion and imagination. Royal Crown Derby commemorative designer, Lisa Law combined a regal purple and 22-carat gold design

based upon the St Edward’s Crown. The beautifully intricate pattern contains the heraldic emblems of the United Kingdom intertwined within a floral border, which nods to the environmental passion Charles has held so closely to his heart. The Royal Crown Derby design team continuously challenge themselves by making sure they not only create captivating designs but include concealed details that provide the most perfect finish to every single creation.

We asked designer, Lisa to explain the imagination behind the design: “I understood it was important to create a collection that reflects the importance of this momentous occasion. The St Edward’s Crown is the most esteemed of all the Crown Jewels. The heavy detailing combined with the precious metals are inspiring and align with the opulence of Royal Crown Derby products. During the King’s role as Prince of Wales, his profound commitment to charity, sustainability and the environment has inspired generations and as such, I intertwined floral details with butterflies and bumble bees.” The design process takes months of development to ensure that each piece is executed to perfection. Each piece of fine bone china passes the hands of several artisans with an eye for detail. It is the expertise and creativity of the craftspeople that enable Royal Crown Derby creations to come to life.

‘During the King’s role as Prince of Wales, his profound commitment to charity, sustainability and the environment has inspired generations’

Gilder, Emma Dudley explains: “We are unbelievably proud to work for a brand that has such a deep connection with the Royal Family. Several members of the team have met the King and Queen during their visit in 2011 when they were amazed at the intricacy of the processes, the artisanal nature of crafting the products and how passionate the team were about their craft.”

Emma has worked at Royal Crown Derby for 26 years as a gilder, painting the 22-carat gold on to each piece by hand.

The brand’s connection with Royalty, alongside their commitment to being made in England, reinforces their global reputation as the makers of exquisite fine bone china. With a constantly evolving portfolio of clients, the business continues to thrive in retail and hospitality markets across the globe.

‘We are unbelievably proud to work for a brand that has such a deep connection with the Royal Family’

Group Sales Director Adrian Botterell tells us about the value of British craftmanship: “Making the entirety of our products under one roof is a unique proposition and exposes Royal Crown Derby to a breadth of new opportunities. The creation of bespoke solutions is one market that is rapidly growing and as we control the entire design and creation process, we can work closely with our clients to create tailored solutions that are unique to them and deliver their vision.”

Increasingly private clients, hotels and restaurants are looking for customised creations that offer a point of difference to their dining occasions. The increase in demand for this type of dining solution has created exciting avenues for the business.

“Most recently we worked alongside The Dorchester to develop and supply their bespoke afternoon tea collection for the decadent Promenade restaurant situated in the heart of the hotel. Our teams worked closely to develop a suite of afternoon tea items that deliver a breath-taking guest experience on every occasion. A combination of pink florals are layered together and framed in 22-carat gold which enhances the setting in which the food is served.”

‘I love working with Royal Crown Derby. They are collaborative, responsive and fun to work alongside’

From London to Dubai, the bespoke journey continues, Royal Crown Derby have stamped their mark of British craftsmanship within the newly unveiled Atlantis The Royal. Working alongside British celebrity couture baker, Mich Turner MBE, a new tea ware range is available to purchase to achieve the ultimate afternoon tea in the comfort of your own home. This range showcases the combination of modern design and prestige fine bone china to achieve a contemporary afternoon tea.

Finally, we head to Barbados, the home to some of the world’s most serene beaches and vibrant botanical gardens. Located on the west coast, Cobblers Cove is a luxury boutique hotel committed to providing a romantic and tranquil experience for the most discerning travellers. Creative Director Sam de Teran explains what bespoke means to their brand: “I love working with Royal Crown Derby. They are collaborative, responsive and fun to work alongside. As a result of my ability to be involved in the project, I have been able to bring my full vision to fruition and develop a bespoke product that is completely at one with our aesthetic of the Cobblers Cove.”

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