Coffee Cup Base Appraisal

Royal Vale Bone China Cup or Saucer Base

This item is the base of a piece of bone china, likely a cup or saucer, from the 'Royal Vale' range. The base is circular and off-white in color, characteristic of bone china. It features a printed manufacturer's mark in black and red, centrally located on the underside. The prominent text 'Royal Vale' is printed in a stylized red script font, positioned below a black crown motif. Above 'Royal Vale', in smaller black print, are the words 'BONE CHINA' and 'F 44 2'. Below the 'Royal Vale' script, it states 'MADE IN ENGLAND' and 'A PRODUCT OF RIDGWAY POTTERIES LTD', also in black. To the left of the main mark, there is a separate black print indicating 'PAT. NO.' (likely short for Patent Number) followed by '8220'. The surface of the base appears smooth, with a slight sheen indicating a glazed finish. There are some minor visible blemishes, including a small dark speck near 'BONE CHINA' and another small, subtle imperfection or possibly a chip on the outer rim of the base, as well as a faint orange-brown smudge visible near 'MADE IN ENGLAND'. These suggest some degree of handling or age-related wear, though the overall legibility of the mark is excellent. The craftsmanship appears to be of good quality, typical of English bone china manufacturers of the mid-20th century, with clear and well-applied transfers for the mark. The presence of 'Ridgway Potteries Ltd' helps to date the item, as this conglomerate was active from the mid-20th century. The 'F 44 2' and '8220' are likely pattern or shape numbers, which could help in identifying the specific design. The reference to a matching tea plate in perfect condition in the context suggests that this item is part of a tea set.