Lot #88: Royal Crown Derby "Mikado" Deep Plates/ Bowls (3)

3 deep plates or bowls, antique RCD Mikado, fine bone China, date marks 1924, and 1927.

The Mikado pattern was designed in 1894 by Royal Crown Derbys art director, Thomas Amos Reed. It was inspired by rice paper drawings that he had obtained in the Far East. The original illustrations formed the basis of the scenes. With the exception of a few of the larger pieces, which are decorated with the complete design, all of the smaller items are decorated with a different chapter of the story. Variations of the legend associated with the pattern are many. Indeed, little imagination is needed to weave a tale with such romantic subjects as Wandering Sad-Eyed Lover, The Tall Standing Pagodas of the Orient, The Flight of Cranes, all set against a backdrop or rivers, mountains and delicate leaf tracery. 

 Mikado was the use of the Tom Thomson family, "his sisters treasured fine china was blue and white Royal Crown Derby Mikado (often used but washed only by her!)".