Royal Crown Derby Duckbilled Platypus Gold Backstamp and Stopper. 1999 EUC.

This Royal Crown Derby paperweight is modelled after the unique creature that is the Duckbilled Platypus, one of the most curiously constructed mammals in the world which makes Australia its home. It was a special release as part of the Australia collection from 1999 which retired in 2002 and has the special gold backstamp and gold stopper only available until 2000 after which was replaced with the standard red stamp. Royal Crown Derby launched its first animal paperweights in a range of five birds and a rabbit at Chatsworth House in 1981. The creatures were beautifully sculpted by Robert Jefferson of Poole pottery fame, before being hand-decorated with the firm’s signature Imari pattern and highlighted with 22 carat gold.