Royal Crown Derby Starlight Hare collectors guild exclusive signed by Cheryl Hal

The Starlight Hare was the Royal Crown Derby Collectors Guild Exclusive figurine for 2003. Only produced in limited quantities for a single year, this lovely piece shows a long eared snowshoe hare with a blue and gold night scene decorating its base. It has a first quality gold stopper and is signed by decorator Cheryl Hallen (?). 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 650 individual designs that range from small 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.