Crown Derby Mouse Appraisal

Royal Crown Derby English Bone China Harvest Mouse Paperweight

A vintage Royal Crown Derby porcelain paperweight expertly modeled in the shape of a curled harvest mouse. This piece is crafted from fine white English bone china, featuring the brand's signature hand-decorated Imari-inspired aesthetic. The mouse is depicted in a nestled, rotund pose with its tail curled around its side and paws tucked upward. The decoration includes extensive 22-karat gold gilding on the ears, paws, facial features, and the detailed sheaf of wheat held by the mouse. Blue forget-me-not floral patterns and green leafy vines accent the body. The craftsmanship shows high-quality glaze and precision in the gold linework, characteristic of late 20th-century production (typically 1980s or 1990s). Regarding condition, the piece shows visible surface dirt, dust, and speckled grime across the white porcelain that requires gentle cleaning. There appears to be minor rubbing on the gold gilding of the paws consistent with handling. No structural cracks or chips are immediately visible in the image, though the underside would typically house a gold or silver-colored ceramic stopper which determines first or second quality status. The piece measures approximately 2 to 3 inches in height.