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Authentic (1850-1970) Antique British Royal Navy Dinnerware Mess Plates, Mess Pails and Mess Buckets, Mess Bowls, Grog and Rum Cups and other Vintage Naval Dinnerware and Tableware used by Officer's and Enlisted Crew Aboard Ship and Shore in the "Young Head" King Edward VII and Queen Victoria Pattern.

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Click Here for Photo Analysis and Identification of 19th and 20th Century Royal Navy Mess Plates and Mess Bowls.

Click Here for Photo Analysis and Identification of 19th and 20th Century Royal Navy Grog and Rum Measures, Mixing Casks and Demijohns.

british royal navy serving out the rum ration or grog ca 1908

british royal navy serving out the rum ration or grog ca 1908

Above photo illustrates the serving of the daily rum ration (grog) aboard the battleship HMS Renown, ca 1908. Note the large Royal Navy Mess Pails some of the enlisted sailors standing in line are holding. These sailors are getting the rum ration for their particular division or mess. This was a very formal daily event with amounts tallied and written down for each and every enlisted sailor and officer.

Note the large wooden rum barrel at the end of the rum line being carefully doled out and watched over by a Chief Petty Officer! If one looks closely at the side of some Mess Pails you will see what appears to be an oval shape. This oval shape was a badge which had a Mess Number imprinted on it to identify which mess was being given rations and how much depending upon the number of members authorized for that mess.

royal navy mess plates in the young head pattern by bovey tracey ca 1850-1900

Above photo illustrates a collection of 1850-1900 Royal Navy Mess Plates in the "young head" pattern since they have either the busts of King Edward VII or Queen Victoria shown in their youth along with various naval scenes as part of the design (see below for more about the Royal Navy Mess). Note that the crowns being used are the Royal Crowns of that particular reigning queen or king. There are some Royal Navy Mess Plates, ones with the crossed British Naval Flag and Ensign, use the Naval Crown as its centerpiece, (see below).

royal navy mess pail badge

Photo to the left shows one of two 100 year old British Royal Navy Mess Pails that the Pirate's Lair has been able to obtain! The Mess Pails or Mess Buckets shown in the rum line do not appear to have been painted.

british royal navy stokers mess, ww1

Photo to the left shows the members of the "Stoker's Mess" aboard a WWI Royal Navy Dreadnought; Stokers were in charge of making sure that the engine furnaces has enough coal to keep up the steam. Note the cups, bowls, and other eating implements as well as the large shovels used to shovel coal into the steam furnaces.

various British royal navy cream and milk pitchers ca 1950s 1960s

various British royal navy cream and milk pitchers ca 1950s 1960s

Historical Note: Prior to 1907 the British Navy mandated that all of the officers and sailors were required to purchase their own mess equipment consisting of plates, cups, bowls, pots, flatware, etc etc. Sailors were either assigned or voluntarilly joined specific messes based upon their function aboard the ship, watch schedules, and/or personal preferences.

Examples would be all gunners on the 1st watch would put together a mess for all of their meals; or married sailors from London would put together a mess for all of their meals.

Joining a mess was a serious matter and in many cases showed the sailor's stature and status aboard the ship, if not his occupation. It was similar to joining a fraternity, and not to be taken lightly! The point is that prior to 1907 there could be a countless number of messes aboard any given British Royal Navy ship, and all the members of each mess were required to purchase and maintain their own dinnerware only to be used only by that particular mess.

So as to provide some semblance of naval order and continuity the British Navy standardized on certain overall patterns that could be slightly modified to identify the mess they were meant for. An example of this identifying pattern consisted of depicting the young busts of King Edward VII and Queen Victoria in a cartouche surrounded by naval scenes of sailors (jack tars) carousing around with a trophy of arms and flags along the border.

Even though the overall pattern was pre-approved and standardized upon it also allowed for each mess to have their own unique mess number so as to avoid confusion between the many messes.

Serving Grog British Royal Navy Channel Fleet 1907

Serving Grog British Royal Navy Channel Fleet 1907

Note the Grog Cups or Rum Pail in Main Photo and in Cropped Insert - Prior to 1907 each "Navy Mess" aboard a Royal Navy ship had to purchase its own Mess Plates, Mess Bowls and Cups with each item having a Mess Number for identification. Royal Navy Channel Fleet 1907

This unique mess number was to avoid confusion and theft. Each mess was required to either stamp, engrave, or have this mess number imprinted on and made part of any mess equipment which they intended to use.

Click Here to view closeup photos of the 1850-1890 Royal Navy Mess Plate Designs and Patterns and Designs

The Bovey Tracey Pottery Company (1843-1894), later the Bovey Pottery Company (1894-1936), and Pounty & Company (along with other pottery manufacturer's), met this Royal Navy requirement by producing plates, bowls, cups and serving pieces in a flow blue transfer print which contained a standard Royal Navy approved design and when anyone purchased these items only the specific mess number which was then hand glazed onto the china before firing.

Chivalric English Motto Honi soit qui mal y pense

Chivalric English Motto Honi soit qui mal y pense

The image to the left illustrates the inscription "Honi soit qui mal y pense" (old french) as found on a Royal Navy Mess Plate which is a Chivlaric English motto of the "Order of the Garter" which means: "Shame be to him who thinks evil of it", or more strictly: "Let he who thinks ill there be shamed", or as it is sometimes re-interpreted "Evil be to him who evil thinks".

We have been able to obtain British Royal Navy Mess Plates with the highest number so far being Mess No 58. Obviously being a member of the lowest mess number (such as Mess No 1) was typically an honor since these were the very first messes which were established right after the ship was put into commission and crew assigned. High mess numbers would also be attributed to changing technologies aboard the ship. An example would be that the sail rigger's mess would have a lower mess number than say the coal stoker's mess; sail giving way to engines. Slowly over time the rigger's mess would would have less and less members (and stature) while the coal stokers and enginemen would have more and more members.

All shown patterns and pieces plus matching cups and saucers are available for sale here on The Pirates Lair - See Below!

large royal navy meat platter with officer's gold anchor insiginia

large royal navy meat platter with officer's gold anchor insiginia

royal navy anchor topmark SIgill OFFI MAG ADMIR MAG BR &C

Photo to the left shows a very large and heavy British Royal Navy Officer's Wardroom meat platter with the Royal Navy insignia in gold.

Photo to the right shows a closeup of the insignia and topmark used on all British Royal Navy dinnerware from about 1937 onward. This topmark consists of a fouled anchor within a badge surrounded by the inscription "SIgill OFFI MAG ADMIR MAG BR &C", which means "The Seal of the Office of the Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, etc", with the British Royal Crown sitting above the badge.

There are also two types of crowns, one for the reigning King and another for the reigning Queen. This particular insignia uses the crown of Queen Elizabeth II as part of the Naval Badge.

admiralty or naval badge - crown, sails, ship, jewels

admiralty or naval badge - crown, sails, ship, jewels

The above dinner plate to the left was originally found in Tasmania, Australia and illustrates a simple British Admiralty Naval Badge in green glaze.

The photo to the left shows a detailed image of the approved Naval Badge proofed in the 1600s and still in use today! Consists of a Royal Crown with a base of precious jewels and stones with the top depicting sails with pennants in position 2 and 4, with the rear of a ship in position 3, and what appears to be laurels in positions 1 and 5.

However this particular specimen of Naval Badge was modified as the original badge consisted of half of a rear of a ship in positions 1 and 5 instead of the laurels as shown on this specimen.

The supposed legend behind the British Naval Badge is that it represents the diminuitive British Royal Navy when it went up against a much superior invading Spanish Armada in 1588. The rear view of the ships represent the much larger Spanish ships and fleet, while the single sails represent the smaller British ships sailing between them.

At least on British Royal Navy dinnerware one will find either the Naval Badge as shown above or the particular reigning Monarchs Royal Crown when the dinnerware was made.

british navy serving dish with lid and blue topmark

british navy serving dish with lid and blue topmark

Photo to the left shows a covered serving dish with the Royal Navy topmark in blue ca 1960's. It is conjectured that the gold topmark was reserved for the senior officers mess while the blue topmark suggests it was intended for Wardrooms, Gun-rooms or Warrant Officers messes.

Photo to the right shows a tea or coffee set in a very distinctive scalloped pattern which the Royal Navy used in the 1970's.

1837-1901 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 1 Queen Victoria Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	$495. Each	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1901-1905 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 1 King Edward VII Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	$495. Each	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1837-1901 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 1 Queen Victoria Young Head Pattern, Flags Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	$495. Each	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1837-1901 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 2 Queen Victoria Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	$495. Each	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1901-1905 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 2 King Edwward VII Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	$495. Each	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1850-1870 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 2 Ships and Flowers Pattern, Anchor Centerpiece. Inscription reads: "honi soit qui mal y pense". This is Old French and the motto of the English chivalric "Order of the Garter", which translated means: "Shame be to him who thinks evil of it", or more strictly: "Let he who thinks ill there be shamed", or as it is sometimes re-interpreted "Evil be to him who evil thinks"	Click Photo!	9"	~~$495.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1837-1901 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 3 Queen Victoria Young Head Pattern, Flags Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	$495. Each	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1850-1901 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 3 Queen Victoria Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece by Pounting & Co	Click Photo!	9"	$495.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1837-1901 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 4 Queen Victoria Young Head Pattern, Flags Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	$495. Each	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1837-1901 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 7 Queen Victoria Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	~~$495.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1837-1901 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 8 Queen Victoria Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	~~$495.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1865 British Royal Navy Victorian Era Mess Plate No 10 Beautifully Detailed Rope and Chain Blue Transfer with Royal Crown and Badge Centerpiece. Cracked and Crazing.	Click Photo!	9"	~~$995.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1840-1875 Victorian Era British Royal Navy Mess Plate No 16 Fantastically Detailed Mess Plate with Ships and Nautical Scenes of Portsmouth Naval Base. Valued at over $1000.USD Some crazing.	Click Photo!	9"	Not For Sale, Displayed For Historical Purposes Only	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1837-1901 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 18 Queen Victoria Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	~~$495.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1905-1916 British Royal Navy Mess Bowl A Mess Bowl produced by Aynsley China Co and used in the General or Centralized Mess aboard ship (post "berthing" mess period) for British sailors or ratings ca 1907 as it only has the British Royal Navy's Fouled Anchor as an insignia vs. a designated Mess No. Additionally, the story is that this Mess Bowl came from Royal Naval ship HMS Arethusa which fought in the Jutland War, pre-cursor to WWI. February 1916 she hit a mine just off Felixstowe and she ran aground on Cutler Shoal where she was abandoned and allowed to break up. Apparently after a large storm this bowl was washed up on the beach from where the Arethusa had sunk. The Mess Bowl certainly has salt water and marine staining to at least substantiate that it was submerged for a lengthy time in the past.	Click Photo!	8"	Not For Sale, Displayed For Historical Purposes Only	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1867-1890 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Bowl No 18 Museum Quality Condition! Produced by WT Copeland & Sons, Stoke On Kent. Plain Bowl with Blue Rim and Blue Encircled 18 which was found by a diver in the British Royal Navy port of Portland Harbor among 1,000's of shattered pottery pieces presumably dumped overboard at some distant past. This dumping possibly right after 1907 when the British Royal Navy went from individual messes to the general mess and mess number identification was no longer required.	Click Photo!	9"	$795.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1901-1905 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Bowl No 19 King Edward VII Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	7"	~~$695.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1837-1901 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Bowl No 24 Queen Victoria Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	7"	~~$695.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1901-1905 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 36 King Edward VII Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece. Bovey Co Ltd backstamped	Click Photo!	9"	~~$695.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1901-1905 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 39 King Edward VII Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	~~$695.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1901-1905 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Plate No 48 King Edward VII Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	9"	$695. Each	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1837-1901 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Bowl No 50 Queen Victoria Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece.	Click Photo!	9"	~~$695.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
1901-1910 British Royal Navy Victorian Mess Bowl No 58 King Edward VII Young Head Pattern, Royal Crown Centerpiece	Click Photo!	7"	~~$695.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Unk Date British Royal Navy Barracks, Portsmouth, No 77 Plain blue rim pattern with Royal Crown Centerpiece above a circle with "R.N. Barracks, Portsmouth" and the numeral "77." being possibly Mess No 77. There is a fair amount of crazing and slight staining under the glaze indicating age.	Click Photo!	7"	Not For Sale Historical Purposes	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Large Mess Pail or Mess Bucket, Late 1800's to Early 1900's (see photo at top of page) Used to collect food, drinks, or rum ration from the galley for each mess aboard ship, 13w" x 10d" x 12h".	Click Photo!	13w" x 10d" x 12h"	~~$695.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Large Mess Pail, Mess Bucket or "Rum Fanny" from Late 1800's to Early 1900's (see photo at top of page) Used to collect food, drinks or rog and rum ration from the galley for each mess aboard ship, 13w" x 10d" x 12h".	Click Photo!	13w" x 10d" x 12h"	$595.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Imperial Rum Large Porcelain Rum Demijohn Encased in Protective Wicker. Museum Quality Condition. Handmade. These wicker-protected porcelain or ceramic demijohns were used store British Royal Navy Rum (108.6-proof) from the very early 1900s thru the 1960s. This particular demijohn is ca WWII and later since the wicker strips used during this period is a bit thinner than that found on early demijohns. The rum was mixed with water and lime juice to create what is known as "Navy Grog" and served daily to the enlisted ratings.	Click Photo!	13-1/2" high X 8.5" wide, 1 Imperial Gallon, or 4.54 Liter Capacity	$245.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Authentic 19th or 20th Century British Royal Navy Victorian or Georgian Era 1/2 Pint Rum Cup or Grog Cup Partially Stampped with the numeral 2 just below the rim and possible remnants of the Royal Navy Broad Arrow proofing it for government service. It is possible that the numeral 2 was the bottom part of 1/2 for half pint, or perhaps the bottom part of the now missing crown cipher indicating that it was made at location 2. Tinned on the inside, handle has been dented over time but rivets are in perfect condtion.	Click Photo!	1/2 Pint Measure	$395.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
18th Century British Royal Navy Victorian Era 1/2 Pint Rum Measure or Grog Cup Clearly stamped with 1/2 Pt and the Royal Navy Broad Arrow proofing it for service with a Crown over VR6 indicating it was made during Queen Victoria's reign, 1837-1901 and proofed by Inspector #6	Click Photo!	1/2 Pint Measure	Not For Sale.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
19th Century British Royal Navy Victorian Era 1 Pint Rum Measure or Grog Cup Clearly stamped with Royal Navy Broad Arrow proofing it for service and Crown over VR6 indicating it was made during Queen Victoria's reign, 1837-1901 and proofed by Inspector #6	Click Photo!	1 Pint Measure	Not For Sale.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Quthentic 20th Century British Royal Navy Georgian Era 1 Quart Rum Cup Measure Grog Cup Clearly stamped with British Royal Cypher of George V for government service. Crown over GR with Shield and proofed by Inspector #17	Click Photo!	1 Quart Measure	Not For Sale.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
Authentic 19th Century British Royal Navy Victorian 1 Quart Rum Cup or Grog Measure This 1 Quart Grog Measure is properly stamped "Crown over VR6, Broad Arrow, Qt" and manufactured to Royal Navy specifications and is tinned on the inside.	Click Photo!	1 Quart Measure	Not For Sale	Historical Purposes
British Royal Navy Large Covered Serving Dish, 1956 Has the blue badge or topmark signifying it was used in the officer's wardroom mess.	Click Photo!	14"x5"	~~$195.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Large Meat Platter Has the gold badge or topmark signifying it was used in the senior officer's mess.	Click Photo!	18"x12"	~~$595.~~ Sold!	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Dinner Plate The blue badge or topmark signifying it was used in the wardroom officer's mess. By Crown Ducal, dated 1966. Has the Royal Navy Arrow Anchor Hallmark on bottom.	Click Photo!	9.25"	$95.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Salad Plate The blue badge or topmark signifying it was used in the wardroom officer's mess. By Crown Ducal, dated 1964. Has the Royal Navy Arrow Anchor Hallmark on bottom.	Click Photo!	8.25"	$65.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Bread Plate The blue badge or topmark signifying it was used in the wardroom officer's mess. Bty Stanley, dated 1956.	Click Photo!	6.25"	$45.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Side Dish The blue badge or topmark signifying it was used in the wardroom officer's mess. By WM Grindley, dated 1965. Has the Royal Navy Arrow Anchor hallmark on bottom.	Click Photo!	6.25"	$85.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Demitasse Cup The blue badge or topmark signifying it was used in the wardroom officer's mess. By Sutherland dated 1967. Has the Royal Navy Arrow Anchor hallmark on bottom.	Click Photo!	2.50"	$45.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Demitasse Saucer The blue badge or topmark signifying it was used in the wardroom officer's mess. By Staffordshire no date. Has the British Royal Navy Anchor hallmark on bottom.	Click Photo!	5"	$25.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Cream Pitcher, Lidless The blue badge or topmark signifying it was used in the wardroom officer's mess. By Coalport, dated 1955.	Click Photo!	5.50" High	$145.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Milk Pitcher with Lid The blue badge or topmark signifying it was used in the wardroom officer's mess. By Crown Ducal, dated 1966. Has Royal Navy Arrow Anchor hallmark. Pitcher has some crazing which gives it that sought after vintage look.	Click Photo!	6.50" High	$195.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Saucer with Swirl Pattern The gold badge or topmark signifying it was used in the senior officer's mess. By Coalport, dated 1954	Click Photo!	6.25"	$25.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Cream Pitcher, Lidless with Swirl Pattern The gold badge or topmark signifying it was used in the senior officer's mess. By Tuscan, no date. Has British Admiralty Anchor hallmark.	Click Photo!	5.50" High	$155.	Call To Order 540 659 6209
British Royal Navy Small Personal Creamer, Hong Kong Fleet The gold badge or topmark signifying it was used in the officer's mess at the Royal Navy's Hong Kong Fleet Club. By Wedgewood, 1984.	Click Photo!	2.50"	$25.	Call To Order 540 659 6209

Below are links to other Antique Nautical and Naval Artifacts that may be of interest:

Click HERE for WWII US Navy Anchor China

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OPTIONAL - Trunk Wood Engraving Examples and Prices Custom Designed, Handcrafted, and Hand Lettered in Caligraphy on your Antique Chest	Click Here To Review Sample Engravings	Personalize Your 100+ Year Old Antique Trunk in Perpetuity!
Antique Trunks as a Shadow Box and Storage Chest! Customer Photographic Examples of our Antique Trunks Being used as a Military or Naval Retirement Shadow Box and Storage Chest!!	Click Here for Sample Shadow Box Photographs From Customers	Why just get a shadow box or a newly made trunk with no history! One of our 100+ Year Old Nautical Antique Trunks can be used for both a Shadow Box and Storage Chest for your Uniforms, Photograph Albums, and Memorabilia!

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Music Credits: Donald Where's Your Trousers/Drunken Sailor medley by The Bards

ANY TEXT BELOW THIS LINE IS SOLEY FOR THE BENEFIT OF SEARCH BOTS, SPYDERS AND OTHER DENIZENS OF THE DEEP DARK ~~SEA~~ INTERNET The British Royal Navy Bowls called the royal navy of Great Britain. The Royal Navy Cups and Saucers apparently had fine china tableware made for it.
Which included a serving bowl or tureen. This would be a perfect gift for Royal Naval attache, a British diplomat or even as a formal presentation gift for a British Ambassador

A British Navy Plates and military attache would also love to have this official British tableware and perhaps even Royal Navy dinnerware as it includes the soup bowls, fish servers, various sugar bowls and dinner plates and cups.