Royal Crown Derby English Bone China Imari Style Plate

This is a circular fine bone china plate featuring an intricate 'Old Imari' pattern, characteristic of high-end English porcelain. The design showcases a sophisticated color palette of cobalt blue, iron red (orange), and extensive 22-karat gold gilding over a white base. The central well contains a six-petaled floral medallion with detailed scrolls and geometric linework. The wide rim is divided into alternating radial panels: some featuring vibrant orange flowers against a dark blue ground accented with gold scrolls, and others featuring a golden lattice or 'fish-scale' motif on a dark ground. The plate is finished with a solid gold band along the outer edge. This specific style is often associated with the late 19th to early 20th-century aesthetic, though Royal Crown Derby has continued production of similar patterns like the '1128'. The craftsmanship is indicative of top-tier English ceramic production, exhibiting precise hand-applied gilding and rich pigment saturation. The condition appears excellent with no visible chips, cracks, or significant gold loss, though microscopic surface scratches (stacking marks) may be present upon closer inspection. The plate is currently held by a white plate stand, which is not part of the item itself.

Upon visual inspection of the Royal Crown Derby 'Old Imari' (Pattern 1128) dinner plate, I find the piece to be a hallmark of English bone china excellence. The vibrancy of the iron red and cobalt blue, coupled with the heavy 22-karat gold gilding, suggest a piece in superb condition. Based on the saturation and the precision of the lattice work, the plate appears to be an authentic production from the 20th century. The '1128' pattern is one of the most prestigious and consistently collected designs in the porcelain market, maintaining a steady demand for replacements and formal service sets. Comparables for individual dinner plates in this condition typically range between $150 and $250 on the secondary market, though retailers often price them higher. The value is buoyed by the lack of visible gilt wear, which is common in older examples. However, digital examination has limitations. I cannot verify the underside backstamp to determine the exact year of manufacture (identified by the Roman numeral or year cipher). A physical inspection is required to check for 'seconds' marks (often indicated by a scratch through the backstamp) and to confirm the absence of professional restorations or hairline cracks not visible in standard lighting. Full authentication would require verifying the backstamp against Derby records and checking for the characteristic translucency of authentic fine bone china under a light source.