Royal Doulton Tennyson 8-Inch Rimmed Soup Bowl

Royal Doulton, founded in 1815, is one of England's famed producers of fine bone china. Its designers continue to draw on British history and heritage for inspiration; the Tennyson pattern was created in the mid-'90s but was inspired by that Victorian-era poet who wrote the Lady of Shalott. True to Victorian sensibilities, the Tennyson design incorporates floral motifs with neo-Classical elements and contours. A 1-3/4-inch rim flares gently up and out from the edge of the white soup bowl. The rim is burgundy and textured with fine concentric lines; it features a taupe leaf-and-foliage design reminiscent of a William Morris fabric. The floral band is bordered on both sides with a repeating gold leaf design, and the outermost edge is finished with a thicker layer of metallic gold. Other setting pieces in the Tennyson pattern include dinner, salad, and dessert plates, as well as a larger soup bowl and an elegant gravy or sauce boat. Because of the gold trim, Tennyson dishes should not be used in the microwave. Though not designed to handle extreme temperature changes, Royal Doulton china can be pre-warmed for serving in a 100-degree oven. Royal Doulton china is dishwasher safe; it can handle water temperatures of up to 150 degrees F. When hand washing, avoid abrasive cleansers and scourers. When stacking for storage, the best way to avoid scratches is to place a paper napkin between each bowl or plate. The Tennyson soup bowl has an 8-inch diameter with a 1-3/4-inch rim. Royal Doulton guarantees that a chosen pattern will be available for two years after initial purchase. --Garland Withers