That crash is Royal Worcester and Spode dropping on to the cold stone floor of impending recession. PwC, administrator to the venerable manufacturer of tableware, would love to find a buyer. Any company whose antique wares can still command upward of £1,500 a pot on Ebay must have something going for it.

Unfortunately, though, the recent path of British and Irish fine china and glassmakers looks as safe as that of a toddler with a tea-set. Sir Anthony O'Reilly is even now trying to raise money for Waterford Wedgwood (also owner of Royal Doulton). Glassmakers in Waterford itself are being made redundant. Royal Worcester was trying to save itself by outsourcing manufacturing. Much Wedgwood production has already shifted to Jakarta.