~ Pair Of Fine 1907 Royal Crown Derby Imari Pattern Number 6299 Slender Vases with Maker's Mark ~
A superb and visually commanding matched pair of Royal Crown Derby porcelain vases, known as the "witches pattern", decorated throughout in the factory's celebrated Imari palette with exceptional richness and precision. Of elegant baluster form, each vase stands on four scrolled and gilded paw feet, with a pair of gilt scroll handles rising from the shoulder, and a generously proportioned scalloped rim edged in gold. The decoration divides the body into distinct zones of ornamental complexity.
The upper collar and neck are glazed in deep cobalt blue enriched with elaborate gilt vine-scroll arabesque work. Below, a shoulder band in cobalt presents alternating motifs of white cherry blossoms with iron-red detailing and geometric gold diamond cartouches, all separated by gold crenellation. The substantial main body is divided into alternating tall panels: white-ground reserves painted with naturalistic sprays of peonies, chrysanthemums and trailing foliage in iron-red, pink, rose and green with gilt highlights; and deep cobalt blue ground panels densely overlaid with fine gold scrollwork and further white and pink flowers. The junction between zones is delineated by further gold banding.
The base of each vase bears the red printed Royal Crown Derby England backstamp with the crowned interlaced monogram, together with the year cipher "W", consistent with the 1907 date confirmed in the factory's records. Both marks are identical and clearly legible, confirming this as a well-documented matched pair. The four-lobed square bases show the characteristic unglazed firing pads of the period.
The pattern number of 1318 is also stamped to the underside on both pieces.
~ Historical Context ~
The Derby porcelain factory — founded in 1756 and granted its Royal Warrant as Royal Crown Derby in 1890 — became one of England's foremost porcelain manufacturers, celebrated above all for its mastery of the Imari style. The factory established itself firmly within the Imari wares market by creating a wide assortment of designs inspired by the original eastern wares, characterised by rich cobalt blue, iron-red and gold gilding used to convey luxury and opulence.
Royal Crown Derby's most iconic Imari pattern, number 1128, was introduced in 1882 and is still produced today. The 'Traditional Imari' pattern 2451 followed in 1887. Both draw on Japanese porcelain wares that were being exported from the port of Imari, Japan, from the 17th century onwards, incorporating floral motifs with intricate decoration in blue, red and gold.
A pair of vases of this form, quality and scale — bearing a confirmed 1907 date cipher, produced at the apogee of the Edwardian era's enthusiasm for luxury decorative porcelain — represents exactly the kind of impressive display piece commissioned for drawing rooms and mantelpieces of the period. The Imari palette had by this date been in production at Derby for over a century, the skills of the decorators refined to their peak. The scrolled handles, paw feet, scalloped rim and alternating panel composition are all hallmarks of Royal Crown Derby's most ambitious vase production of this period.
~ Dimensions ~
The vases both have a height of 9 inches (22.8 cm) and an overall diameter of 4.5 inches (11.4 cm). The set weighs 755 g.
~ Condition ~
The vases are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or restoration.
