This early Royal Albert Crown China #8553E Teacup and Saucer dates to the late 20s. Both the saucer and the inside of the cup are decorated with an airy display of blue, red, purple, and yellow flowers on leafy green stems. The tallest flowers have a pair of arching fronds of bell-shaped buds above them. A sweet cartouche of a single pink flower surrounded by tiny dots and framed with red scrolls decorates two places inside the cup and three places on the saucer. The rims of both pieces are trimmed with brushed gold. A thin band of gold circles the outside of the teacup and another line of gold is on the handle.

The Doris-shaped teacup measures 2-inches tall and 3-3/4 inches in diameter across the subtly scalloped rim, with another inch for the high, D-shaped handle. It stands on a 1-3/4 inch foot. The matching saucer is 5-1/2 inches in diameter.

Both pieces are stamped with a reddish back stamp that matches the color in the pattern and is a rounded crown with the words "Royal Albert" arched above and "Crown China" in an inverse arch below. The word "England" completes the mark. This mark was used by Royal Albert China from 1927 until 1935. The pattern number 8553E is also written in red on the bottom of the cup. There are a couple of artist's marks in gold and green.

There is light, non-discolored crazing that is barely visible to the naked eye. There is a small stain next to the mark on the cup and there is another, circular stain in the cup well of the saucer. Both of these can be seen in the photos. There are a handful of pinpoint-sized glaze pops and porcelain bumps on both pieces. There is minor wear on the gold as well. Vintage pieces are not perfect and may show minor flaws, but I do my best to describe any imperfection.