The Worcester Royal Porcelain Company is the oldest factory for the manufacture of porcelain in England today. Established in 1751, the company still encourages the craftsmanship of the 18th century although much of the work which leaves the factory today is of a quality which would leave the early craftsman astounded.

This magnificent vase was made to celebrate Wellington's victory at Waterloo. It shows the Duke and Marshall Blucher, commander of the Prussian army, on the battlefield on the evening of June 18, 1815

Today, when porcelain tableware of excellent quality is both inexpensive and easy to buy, it is difficult to understand that it was much sought-after in the eighteenth century as the majority of it was imported from China - the name sticks to this day - and although ships brought back pieces by the thousand, demand outstripped supply.In response, English manufacturers began to turn out porcelain. The Worcester factory began when the business move there from Bristol in 1751 with the formation of the Worcester Porcelain Company. Five years later production has increased to the point where the company opened a London wholesale warehouse to cope with the demand.

While the company has a long association with royalty, the first visit of its kind was in 1788 when George III and Queen Charlotte toured the factory and granted the company the right to describe itself as "Manufacturers to their Majesties". This association culminated in 1862 when the move towards a limited company took place under the name of The Worcester Royal Porcelain Company.

From 1875 onwards ornamental modelling of very high quality was done by the talented James Hadley and his three sons who later started a factory of their own in Bath Road before it was bought by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company in 1903.

Inspired by the wonderful eggs produced for the Romanovs by Faberge, Royal Worcester produced this limited edition

As well as being much loved by the general public - whose affinity for the Evesham pattern has made it the company's most successful over-to-tableware - the company has kept its links with the great and the good. Among pieces produced in the modern era include a vase depicting the cathedral which was presented to Sir Winston Churchill and a dessert set made at the request of the Royal Household for presentation to Her Majesty the Queen to commemorate her Silver Jubilee.