The beauty of painted fruit may only be achieved thanks to the variety of
skills of the craftsmen and women. Painters can train for up to seven
years before being allowed to take their place in line with the great
Worcester artists of the past. Each piece of fruit is meticulously painted
by hand to convey its natural beauty.
The artist uses a palette of translucent
colours and after the first layer of colour is applied the item is fired.
Following this, further stages of painting and firing are carried out. At
each stage the painter will build up the strength of colour to give the
fruit a real and three dimensional quality. Translucent colours are used
in order for the lighter colours underneath to show through giving
remarkable depth to the finished piece.
These masterpieces would not be complete
without the hand skills of the gilder and burnisher, who use 22 carat gold
in a variety of special techniques to add to the richness and splendour of
these elaborate pieces.
Today Royal Worcester produces and
exclusive range of tableware, miniature and ornamental pieces. Each item
is uniquely crafted in the time honoured tradition of Royal Worcester
fruit painting and is beautifully presented in a silk-lined gift box.
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