Royal Worcester Evesham Porcelain Plate Set

ROYAL WORCESTER EVESHAM PORCELAIN PLATE SET
Era: 1961
Maker: Royal Worcester
Origin: England

OVERVIEW:
A collection of fine porcelain plates in Royal Worcester's popular Evesham pattern, featuring naturalistic fruit designs that exemplify the company's skilled botanical illustration tradition.

SPECIFICATIONS:
• Dinner Plates (2): 10 inches
• Luncheon Plates (3): 9 inches
• Salad/Dessert Plates (2): 8.25 inches
• Material: Fine Porcelain
• Pattern: Evesham
• Features: Freezer to oven to table safe

DESIGN ELEMENTS:
• Central Motifs:
- Hand-painted fruit designs
- Peaches, pears, blackberries
- Botanical leaves
- Natural coloration
- Realistic rendering

• Border Details:
- Double gold trim bands
- Clean white ground
- Simple classic rim
- Pristine finish

• Technical Features:
- Transfer-printed base design
- Hand-painted accents
- Durable porcelain body
- High-gloss glaze
- Thermal shock resistant

CONDITION:
Excellent Vintage Condition
• Clear decoration
• Bright gold trim
• No chips or cracks
• Minimal wear
• Original glaze intact

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
The Evesham pattern, introduced in 1961, represents a pivotal moment in Royal Worcester's history. Named after the Vale of Evesham in Worcestershire, England's premier fruit-growing region, this pattern marked Royal Worcester's strategic response to changing post-war lifestyles and dining habits.
While Royal Worcester (established 1751) was traditionally known for formal, elaborate dinnerware, Evesham represented their adaptation to more casual, practical entertaining. The pattern uniquely combined the company's renowned artistic excellence with modern functionality - being freeze-to-oven-to-table safe, a revolutionary feature for fine porcelain at the time.
The design itself pays homage to the company's botanical illustration heritage, particularly drawing from their 19th century fruit painting tradition. Each piece features carefully rendered fruits and vegetables inspired by the Vale of Evesham's agricultural bounty. The gold trim maintains a connection to formal dining traditions while the clean, simple design appeals to modern tastes.
Evesham's success helped Royal Worcester transition through the challenging economic period of the 1960s-70s, when many traditional porcelain manufacturers struggled to remain relevant. The pattern's enduring popularity (produced until 2008) demonstrates how successfully it bridged the gap between formal dining traditions and contemporary casual entertaining.
This particular set, dating from the earlier years of production, represents the original vision of the pattern, before later variations were introduced. Early Evesham pieces are particularly valued for their superior gilt work and hand-painted elements, as production methods became more standardized in later years.

MAKER'S MARKS:
• "Royal Worcester Fine Porcelain"
• "Made in England"
• "Evesham"
• "1961 Royal Worcester"

DECORATIVE/FUNCTIONAL SUGGESTIONS:
• Formal dining service
• Kitchen wall display
• Mixed pattern tablescapes
• Entertaining service
• Everyday fine dining

COLLECTING NOTE:
Evesham remains one of Royal Worcester's most successful patterns, appreciated for both its durability and classic design that bridges formal and casual dining.