Royal Worcester English porcelain bird model of a jay

This charming bone china bird model was made around 1950 by the Royal Worcester porcelain factory. Founded in England in 1751, it is believed to be one of the oldest English porcelain brands still functioning today.  

The model depicts a sweet jay, sitting atop a hazelnut tree branch. It is rendered in a muted, pastel colour palette, with details such as leaf patterns or feather textures expertly painted on. The bird is depicted in a very real-life manner, most likely thanks to its designer’s, Eva Soper’s, expert knowledge of wild birds.  

The piece bears a maker’s mark on the reverse alongside the name of the bird depicted on the model.

Eva Soper (1901-1990) designed and modelled a series of birds for the Royal Worcester factory. Together with her sister Eileen, she worked in a studio at a wildlife sanctuary started by her father George Soper RE. In 1937 she was introduced to the Royal Worchester factory, who she collaborated with. To ensure her pieces accurately portray the selected wild bird types, she would study them at the sanctuary. In the first two years of her collaboration with them, she designed twelve British bird models. In 1941, Soper designed and modelled an additional six birds and six double bird models. Soper’s designs were in continuous production until 1986.  

This model of a jay comes from the collection of Henry Sandon (b. 1928), an English antique expert specialising in ceramics. He is especially knowledgeable and considered an authority in the field of Royal Worcester porcelain.

Designed and modelled by a woman, at a time when women were increasingly acknowledged for their achievements, and with an important provenance, this bird model is a wonderful addition to one’s porcelain collection.

Provenance: Henry Sandon Study Collection