As Stoke-on-Trent is granted World Craft City status, two new official ranges of chinaware have been launched by Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household – all made in the potteries in Stoke.
The new Livery Collection of fine bone china includes a dinner plate, dessert plate, side plate, tankard, teacup and saucer, a teapot, and a limited-edition tankard in an edition of 1,000.
In regal colours of scarlet, jet black and gold, the modern and striking design evokes the highly decorated uniforms known as ‘liveries’ worn by State Coachmen and the guards of the Household Regiments at major royal events, such as the Coronation and Trooping the Colour. Apart from a few small details, livery remains much the same as it was in Victorian times, and many historic and modern-day examples can be seen on display at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. The oldest livery on display dates from the 1919 procession to commemorate the end of the First World War and bears a strong resemblance to the striped rim of the plates.
Acanthus Coffee Collection © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust 
Special Edition Fine Bone China Coffee Cups and Saucers (£95.00). Available in Black, Pink, and Teal. © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust. 
Grand Staircase, Buckingham Palace (Photograph/ Derry Moore) © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2024 | Royal Collection Trust
The new Special Edition Acanthus Coffee Collection, comprised of six English fine bone china coffee cups and saucers, has been inspired by decorative scrollwork and ornamentation seen throughout the State Apartments at the three royal residences, including the Grand Staircase at Buckingham Palace, and wall coverings in Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Available in jewel tones of teal, turquoise, grey, garnet pink, ruby red and black, each piece of the Acanthus Coffee Collection is hand-finished using 22-carat burnished gold.
Official Royal Collection Trust chinaware is made from clay sourced in Devon and Cornwall which is then cast, fired, and decorated by hand at the potteries in Stoke-on-Trent – where fine bone china has been produced for generations. From the development of initial designs to hand-finishing with gold, the production process involves over 50 skilled artisans across 12 factories. Each piece of china is presented in gift box packaging, also made in Stoke-on-Trent.
Though rooted in traditional methods, the design and production of china is constantly evolving with efficiency and sustainability in mind. For example, by adapting the design around the coffee cup handles, the items require fewer kiln firings, thereby reducing the amount of energy consumed.
The new ranges can be purchased online from www.rct.uk/shop or from Royal Collection Trust shops in London, Windsor, and Edinburgh.
All profits from sales of the official chinaware ranges go to Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity, for the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and access to the Collection through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational programmes.
