The Old Derby Pattern Books contain incomplete descriptions of the 770 tea ware patterns used during the so called Duesbury II period from approximately 1782 to 1805.

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Although there is a sketch or description of a great number of patterns, many are indistinct or missing.  Thus no complete pictorial reference exists.

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Most porcelain tea ware pieces produced at the Nottingham Road factory during the Duesbury II period carry the standard Derby crown, crossed batons with dots and letter D mark.  The mark is usually coloured in puce and underneath there is often a pattern number.  However, many pieces do not carry a pattern number and some were wrongly numbered.  A small number of tea wares produced during the early Duesbury II period are decorated with patterns used during the earlier Chelsea Derby years.  These often carry the crossed batons mark in puce or blue, others have the crown and D mark in blue and many do not contain a pattern number.  Conversely others carrying high pattern numbers date from the later Duesbury Kean period, they are usually marked in red and often have no pattern number.  Some tea wares produced at the factory were not given a number.

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With the advent of the internet and the digital camera, many Derby tea wares have appeared on websites.  The purpose of these pages is to try and reconstruct the Old Derby Tea Pattern Books in photographic form.  These pages are designed for academic purposes and not for  any financial gain.  

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Many pieces illustrated within these pages cannot be matched with any in the Pattern Books and are included on the unknown pattern page.

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Many of the images on the pages are my own.  Permission to use others has graciously been given by a variety of friends, auction houses, publishers and museums.  Images will be withdrawn at the request of any copyright owner.

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Corrections and comments are welcome.  I invite anyone to add an image of a missing pattern or submit a better image then those posted.  To do this please send an email to the address below, attaching any photographs you wish to contribute to this research.  I will of course acknowledge any contribution should you wish, and respect any confidentiality,

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Derek K. Thomas

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The Derby Tea Ware Patterns are reproduced here with the express and kind permission of Derek Thomas, who I had the pleasure of working alongside during my research on the Derby Plate Patterns.

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Should you wish to submit photographs or comments, please contact me on     kazmorgan1959@gmail.com

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Karen Morgan

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