Little did I know about the ‘Orange Tree’ design as we picked this tea pot from a cardboard box on Golbourne Road, North London. Some chip on the rim, but a bargain for £1. Only much later did I find out this pattern is a highly sought after Art Deco collectable.

The ‘Orange Tree’ pattern was designed by Norman Keates in 1925 and produced by AJ Richardson under the Crown Ducal name. There are more than 300 different items around and many of them in different sizes and shapes. It is a truly endearing design and nowadays it will be difficult to find any item for a bargain price.