Ashby Appraisal

Royal Worcester 'Ashby' Covered Casserole Dish

This is a Royal Worcester covered casserole dish, likely part of their 'Ashby' pattern, as indicated by the provided context. The item is made of fine porcelain, characterized by a creamy white base with vibrant polychrome decoration and significant gold gilding. The lid, which is predominantly visible, features a central motif of a fruit basket or urn overflowing with colorful fruits (grapes, berries, apples) and foliage in shades of purple, green, yellow, and red. Radiating from this central motif are elegant, stylized dark blue dotted lines forming arches, interspersed with smaller floral or berry clusters in pinks, yellows, and greens. A prominent border encircles the edge of the lid, consisting of a rich cobalt blue band decorated with repeating gold geometric patterns or stylized leaves, bordered by fine gold lines. The finial, or handle, on the lid is a small, inverted teardrop shape, gilded in gold with a chevron or zig-zag pattern around its base, showcasing meticulous detail. A small, scrolled handle is partially visible on the side of the lower dish, also adorned with gold. The overall aesthetic is one of refined elegance and traditional design, characteristic of early to mid-20th-century English porcelain. No significant visible damage such as chips, cracks, or extensive wear to the gilding is apparent from the image, suggesting good to excellent condition. The craftsmanship appears high quality, with precise hand-painted or transferware decoration and consistent application of gilding.