Royal Crown Derby Ram paperweight with 22kt gold stopper original release 1990

This piece is inspired by the local football team (Derby County) known as The Rams. It was the first of the large paperweights and was originally only available from members of the Guild of Specialist China and Glass Retailers before being launched worldwide in 1990 and retired in 1993. Featuring a bold ram figure with deep blue face and gold, curling horns, it measures 14cm tall. 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. Eye-catching and of superb quality yet affordable, Royal Crown Derby paperweights are a collectable modern classic with broad appeal. What’s more, these addictive creatures make the ideal the gift for animal lovers, those with a passion for traditional ceramics or simply for someone who appreciates a beautifully crafted object. Production has expanded to over 450 individual designs that range from ladybirds, snails and robins to the majestic Golden Eagle. The paperweights’ stoppers serve as an indicator of the firms strict quality control. Gold stoppers indicate ‘best’, while silver stoppers are assigned to paperweights that Royal Crown Derby describe as slightly imperfect.