Royal Worcester Porcelain Cotswold Fruit Pattern Lasagna Pan. Hand-painted fruit on exterior and interior of pan. Marked on underside, made in 2004. 

Size: 15 1/2 x 11 1/4 x 3 in. 

In 1751 two British apothecaries named John Wall and William Davis bought out a Bristol porcelain company that was using steatite and soapstone as their raw material and brought the enterprise to Waterford, and eventually the company was reformed as The Royal Worcester Porcelain Co. in 1862. It is believed to be the oldest remaining English porcelain brand still in existence today, although Royal Crown Derby disputes this by asserting that they first formed in 1750. Artists and designers who worked for the factory included Thomas Baxter, William Billingsley, John Stinton, David Bates, and Christopher Dresser. A gradual decline during the 20th Century amidst two World Wars and economic downturns, however, eventually led to a merger with the Stoke-on-Trent-based Spode company in 1976, and the Worcester facility was eventually shuttered as most workers were gradually transferred to Stoke or let go over the next thirty years, with the factory’s former site now housing the independent Museum of Royal Worcester. The last official trading date for Royal Worcester was June 14th, 2009, and the brand name and property were acquired by Portmeirion Pottery Group, who officially ended all production in Worcester itself as of that day, transferring all manufacturing overseas.

All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.