In 1890, By order of a Royal Warrant, Queen Victoria appointed Crown Derby as “Manufacturers of Porcelain to Her Majesty.” and the company became known as Royal Crown Derby.
In 1981, the company introduced a line of paperweights which have become immensely popular. Royal Crown Derby also still continues to produce patterns in the wonderful imari style.
The Royal Crown Derby story is one of changing fortunes through chaning times and changing tastes.
Derby began some time before 1750, when the Huguenot, Andrew Planche, established the first china works in Derby. His beautiful figures led to a link with William Duesbury, who eventually became the guiding light in a very successful partnership manufacturing china of the highest quality.
In 1981 the first Royal Crown Derby paperweights, five birds and a rabbit, were launched at a reception at Chatsworth House.
The Derby paperweight models were to develop into one of the most important ranges of china figures in the world of collecting.
In 2002 the Royal Crown Derby paperweight range celebrated its 21st birthday, releasing a special stopper for the year, and a new collection of five birds and a rabbit.
