Preliminary identification
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Overview
An exquisite example of Edwardian fine bone china featuring a deep cobalt blue 'fleur-de-lis' border and delicate hand-painted floral swags. The set is finished with a distinctive 'thumb-rest' handle heavily gilded in 22kt gold, a hallmark of high-end English tea service.
Story
Staffordshire potters in the early 1900s were obsessed with perfecting 'Cobalt Blue,' a pigment that could withstand the kiln's intense heat. This set survived an era when tea was a choreographed social ritual of the elite.
Maker / Origin
Cauldon Ltd. was the successor to the legendary Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co., operating out of the famous Cauldon Place Works. They were renowned for supplying high-quality porcelain to royalty and prestigious retailers like Tiffany & Co. in New York.
Condition & Value
The gilding on the handle and rim appears remarkably intact with minimal 'rubbing.' No visible chips or 'crazing' (fine cracks in the glaze) are apparent in the photos. Excellent condition significantly preserves the value.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.