CARLTON Ware was a trade name used from the 1890s by the Staffordshire firm of Wiltshaw and Robinson.

During the 1920s and 30s the firm diversified into a wide range of unusual ceramics all of which are popular with collectors these days.

But in recent years collecting attention has really focused on a range of products that the firm produced just after the Second World War, using the Royale brand name.

Prices for this range have accelerated far beyond that of earlier Carlton products, for the range is perceived to have unusual design characteristics and a stunning visual appearance.

The firm had always been keen to experiment with its styling and finishes, using both lacquer and lustre glazes, and it was this experience which enabled it to produce the Royale products. The most commonly seen items in this range are the Rouge Royale pieces, which have a deep red lustre finish with gilt decorations. But there were also Green, Blue (illustrated) and Black finishes produced, and all of them are very collectable.

While some items in the range had minimal decoration, others were very detailed and included re-issued versions of Chinoiserie designs, which had been used by the company back in the 1920s and 30s.

Many of these designs had a far eastern influence with pagodas and temples featured, but new designs such as spider web were introduced in the post war era, and were incredibly detailed and visually stunning. There were also more simple designs such as Iris flowers and a pattern of Mallards. While some royal items just had a gilt decoration around the edge, the more decorative pieces move up in price very substantially. While a very plain piece of Royale might fetch £30 to £50, the more decorative examples can fetch two or three times this. Some patterns, such as the much-in-demand Spider's Web range, fetch much more -- a large vase featuring this pattern can fetch as much as £400.

Many of the pieces in the series appeared not only vases but bowls, jugs, tea services and even ash trays. The most popular patterns included New Mikado, Sultan, Stork, Bullrushes, and Kingfisher. Prices will vary depending on size and shape of the item, but generally, perfect examples from these series are likely to be in the £150 plus price category.

In the 1960s, the company was taken over and made much more "ordinary" items for some years, particularly novelty wares. It was taken over again in the 1980s, but the company went into receivership. Since then, the trade names, pattern books and moulds were bought by another company who relaunched the brand, and it continues today under yet another ownership, producing specialised collectors wares.