How can I date a Royal Crown Derby piece?

Dating often starts with the backstamp style and any date marks. Royal Crown Derby’s own reference material shows multiple backstamp changes across the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, plus special marks for certain years. You can compare a piece’s base mark to those illustrated date ranges, then narrow the window using decoration clues such as hand gilding style, pattern number, and shape. For newer items, product pages and packaging can add confirmation through a reference code and the brand’s current factory details. If you lack a clear backstamp, a professional appraiser or specialist dealer can often date via shape catalogues and archived pattern records.