The Mikado pattern was designed in 1894 by Royal Crown Derby’s 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.

Patterns in the Oriental taste have been popular at Derby since the first china manufactory was founded in c1748. It was an era of expansion and discovery when all eyes were looking to the riches of the East, and when exotic ware was being exported to Europe. Such meticulous detail and exquisite decoration became the inspiration for Derby and, blue and white ware such as sauce boats, baskets and coffee pots were made in Oriental style.

Blue Mikado was originally recorded in Pattern Book number 9, as pattern number 4001 on the Dover shape. Later it was produced in a multi-colour version and a variety of monochrome colours. A variety of prints on coloured grounds have appeared over the years including probably the rarest, a gold print on a rich yellow ground.

Blue Mikado proved particularly popular in Canada where between the years 1950 and 1958 Cassidy’s sold over ten million pieces. The pattern has been used on a number of different shapes, including Dublin. In more recent times the design was transferred on to the Ely/Chelsea shape in blue only, and it remained in this form until its retirement in 1997.

ATTRIBUTION:

Jacqueline Smith, Museum Curator, Royal Crown Derby Museum, Derby, UK.