Royal Crown Derby & Royal Doulton unique Prototype sandwich plate

  

A UNIQUE factory Prototype and test proof layout double-handled sandwich plate produced in a joint venture by Royal Crown Derby and Royal Doulton. It is marked "Prototype Only remains the property of the Royal Crown Derby factory NOT FOR SALE" There follows the Royal Doulton printing dated 28 March 1997 and Job Name: Curnock Bread & Butter Plate Proof Layout, together with a colour table and scripted date 5.5.97. An extremely rare collector's piece in excellent condition.

In the late 1990s, both Royal Crown Derby and Royal Doulton were part of the. Luxury goods group, before Royal Crown Derby was bought out by its management in 2000. During the 1997 period, factory technicians frequently ran design cross-tests. They used existing blank structural shapes from one brand (in this case, a Royal Crown Derby handled bread and butter or sandwich plate) to test the print transfers and layout scale of patterns belonging to the sibling brand (Royal Doulton). Because these items were marked "Not For Sale" and were strictly intended for studio evaluation, they are incredibly rare on the secondary market.

They are highly sought after by pottery historians and specialized collectors.