A lasting dinner plate set from the esteemed Royal Doulton pottery studio in England, we are thrilled to present this rare set of vintage dinner plates along with a matching serving plate featuring the art work of Joseph Birbeck Senior.

One of Royal Doulton's most acclaimed artists, Joseph Birbeck Senior was born into a distinguished British family of ceramic painters in 1862. He began his career at the Brown, Westhead, Moore & Co. china company of Stoke on Trent, England, but left in 1900 to join Doulton where he remained until about 1926. Birbeck hand-painted many fine sets of dessert and service plates for the North American market and was especially noted for his studies of birds and fish.

Transferware decorated with one of Birbeck's captivating prints of exotic birds set in the wooded countryside, each plate is hand-colored in a loose, painterly style bringing the birds to life and honoring Birbeck's legacy as a renowned china painter. At the bottom of the scene, is Joseph Birbeck's signature: Birbeck Sen. The creamy-white plates have a lovely, gently scalloped silhouette, are detailed with a textured ribbed rim and are back-stamped with the regal Royal Doulton crest that was in use beginning in the 1930s.

In addition to the 14 dinner plates, there is also one 13" serving plate decorated with a coordinating Birbeck bird print.

This exceptional set is sure to add its nature-inspried aesthetic to your table, carrying the storied provenance of Royal Doulton and their famed china artist, Joseph Birbeck Senior.  

Strictly one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. In very good vintage condition. Circa 1950s. Dinner plates measure 10.25" in diameter. Serving Plate measures 13" in diameter. Dishwasher Safe, handwashing recommended.

Learn More About Royal Doulton

Founded in 1815 by John Doulton and John Watts, Doulton & Co. has long been known for its fine dinnerware, figurines and art pottery. It has, over the years, produced more than 10,000 watercolor designs for its pottery. Though it is known as Royal Doulton today, that renowned distinction was far from a reality when Doulton and Watts first fired up the kiln at their Lambeth pottery outside of London.

Out of that pottery, Doulton & Co. first produced industrial stoneware and during the Victorian Era, Doutlon was Britain’s leading producer of sanitary ware. But in the final quarter of the 19th century, the Doulton factory really took off, as the fine dinnerware china it produced became especially popular in North America. In 1901, Doulton became Royal Doulton, as King Edward VII bestowed upon the company the right to use the word “Royal” preceding its name.

Some of the china patterns that Royal Doulton has become best known for over their two centuries in business, include Lady Carlyle and Old Country Roses, both of which are made by Royal Albert, one of Royal Doulton’s three brands (the other two brands are Royal Doulton and Minton). Indeed, Old Country Roses is the highest selling dinnerware pattern worldwide. Beginning in 1968, Royal Doulton became a supplier of china to Queen Elizabeth II. It also sent the first china into space on the space shuttle Discovery in 1984.