This article was first published in the Fall 2025 Issue of Antiques to Vintage Magazine.
With their charming forms inspired by traditional Derby figurines and traditional Imari palette, Royal Crown Derby paperweights have enjoyed timeless appeal since their inception. But their story only began as recently as the 1980s.
Having joined Royal Doulton as art director in 1954 at the age of 28, Ledger would hold the post for four decades, employing one of the largest and most talented art departments in the industry and becoming one of the main creative forces within Royal Doulton and in the greater British ceramics industry.
With the post-WWII reconstruction efforts underway in the 1950s and 1960s, Royal Doulton looked outside of Britain to concentrate marketing efforts. The emerging markets of North America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan were particularly booming, and Royal Doulton focused its market research efforts in the US. By taking new tableware collections to ladies’ colleges and clubs, many potential brides and young housewives could see their display and vote on the new patterns. Such efforts on Ledger’s part meant that when Pearson acquired Doulton in 1971, Ledger was placed in charge of overseeing not only Doulton’s art direction, but also that of other companies under their umbrella including Royal Crown Derby.
Royal Crown Derby had been acquired by Pearson in 1964, but by the 1970s had been suffering a slump in sales. With economic uncertainties brewing in the UK, their traditional tableware collections faced stiff competition from overseas factories which were relatively inexpensive. On the other hand, their designs were considered old-fashioned in emerging markets. Ledger had to not only turn the company’s situation around, but also maintain Royal Crown Derby’s standards, traditional designs and brand identity. Combining technological innovation which improved the quality and durability of bone china with his knowledge of ceramics, Ledger hit upon a groundbreaking idea- attractive ornaments which could also serve as paperweights. Prior to the release of Royal Crown Derby paperweights, paperweights had always been made with materials such as brass or glass; the fine bone china that Royal Crown Derby was known for was considered too fragile to be used by most. But by creating these paperweights in the form of charming animal figurines, market research proved this idea to be a resounding success.
One of Ledger’s reasons for success, asides from his personal ability and charisma, was his uncanny knack for knowing precisely which person would be right for the job. Having met Robert Jefferson in his early years at Royal Doulton, Ledger had previously commissioned him to produce animal sculptures for a possible new range at Tutbury Crystal which was part of the Royal Doulton Group. Although this previous range fell through, being unsuitable for glass, these early prototypes sparked Ledger’s consideration for this new paperweight range. Robert Jefferson thus put together new models for this pioneering range which were translated into bone china. These sculptures were then decorated by Brian and June Branscombe, a husband-wife duo who were Royal Crown Derby’s Art Director and a designer at the Derby Art Studio respectively. The patterns were inspired by Derby’s traditional Imari palette of mazarine blue, iron red and hold, reinterpreting Derby’s traditional Imari patterns with these contemporary animal forms.
Launched at Chatsworth House in 1981, the six initial designs of an owl, duck, quail, penguin, wren and rabbit were an immediate success. Over the years, many special collections were launched, with the full range reaching over 400 different models.
While traditional Imari-inspired motifs remain a mainstay in Royal Crown Derby’s main line, collections commissioned by luxury retailers such as Govier’s of Sidmouth, Harrod’s and Sinclair’s also prove highly desirable, particularly with new designs that appeal to the Asian market such as the Imperial Panda and a Chinese New Year range introduced in 1999. Other highly desirable Derby pieces include the Starlight Hare released in 2003, the Heraldic Beasts collection by Govier’s, the Royal Cats Collection and more.
In 2024, Bamford Auctions had an auction comprised solely of Royal Crown Derby paperweights which proved highly successful, with the Long Eared Owl, a Prestige limited edition designed by Tien Manh Dinh, selling for £650 against the original estimate of £500 - £800.
Many artists would join Derby and collaborate for specific collections, such as Robert Tabbenor, John Ablitt, Sue Rowe and Tien Manh Dinh. These artists came from diverse backgrounds, including sculpture, illustration and ceramic design- all of these were necessary to not only create these whimsical animal sculptures, but to further accentuate their features. These pieces ranged from animals and places inspired by the English countryside, as well as more fanciful beasts such as the Wessex Wyvern and the Unicorn of Scotland.
With the subjects of these paperweights being drawn from around the world, there is something for everyone in the Royal Crown Derby paperweight range which will inspire avid interest in them for decades to come.
References:
https://onecraftgallery.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/helen-and-john-ablitt-potters/
http://www.als-world.co.uk/intro.htm
https://countryimagesmagazine.co.uk/featured/modern-collectibles-royal-crown-derby-paper-weights/
https://www.bamfords-auctions.co.uk/news/paperweights-prove-popular/
https://theantiquescabinet.uk/2025/02/10/a-collection-begins-a-royal-crown-derby-paperweight/
https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/jo-ledger-khzwjc5wnk6
https://www.goviers.co.uk/products/royal-crown-derby-imperial-panda