Very Rare Antique (1877) Highly Collectible Handcrafted English Victorian “Wain & Bates Pottery” Registered Design Cup & Saucer Set (5”/13cm, 218g).

Absolutely fantastic hand painted and 24ct gold gilded set from an era when porcelain was very expensive and a luxury afforded only by the very wealthy and the aristocracy.

This is a rare opportunity to own an almost 150 year old fantastic piece of, museum quality, British pottery history in near perfect condition. Marvellous set. Completely free from any chips, cracks or crazing.

The registered design number 70089 on the back of these pieces dates the set back to exactly 1877, around 150 years ago! In superb museum condition.

Please browse all 24 sets of photographs attached for size, weight and condition as they are self explanatory.

In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of Continental Europe.

Brief history:

Wain & Bates was a British pottery company, established in 1885 by Charles Wain and Thomas Bates, who had previously been partners with William John Taylor from 1879. The partnership with Taylor ended on October 16, 1885, and the firm continued as Wain & Bates. Wain & Bates were known for producing a range of decorative and functional pottery items.

The pottery was based in Longton, Staffordshire, a major center for the pottery industry. The Wain & Bates partnership lasted until February 1891, when Thomas Bates left the business, and Charles Wain continued it under the name Wain & Co. After the partnership ended, Charles Wain continued the business as Wain & Co in Longton.

The pottery industry in Longton, Staffordshire, was a major part of the Industrial Revolution in Britain. Many potteries were established during this period, and Wain & Bates was one of the companies that contributed to the region's rich ceramic history.