Spatterware or Spongeware?

Is it spatterware or spongeware? It’s easy to tell. Spatterware dishes are decorated with what looks like paint spattered from a brush. Spongeware looks as if the paint was dabbed on with a sponge. Through the years, authors and collectors have jumbled the names until almost all of these types of decoration are lumped under […]

Royal Worcester Marks

This table lists marks found on Royal Worcester porcelain pieces and the dates they were used. Royal Worcester standard mark 1862-1875 The number 73 below the mark indicates the year 1873. Royal Worcester standard mark 1876-1891 Letter underneath changed every year. Royal Worcester stand mark 1891-1963 Chamberlain and Company c.1840-1845

Wedgwood Marks

This table lists marks used by the Wedgwood pottery factory from 1769 to the present. Josiah Wedgwood Mark 1769-present Josiah Wedgwood Mark 1780-1795

Wedgwood Date-Letter

The Wedgwood date marking system introduced in 1860 used three capital letters, with the first representing the month, the second the potter, and the third the year the piece was made.   Marks Indicating Months January J July V (1860-1863) February F L (1864-1907) March M (1860-1863) August W R (1864-1907) September S April A […]

Staffordshire Borders

These are sample border designs used on Staffordshire china.

Staffordshire

Staffordshire is a district in England where hundreds of pottery factories have made many types of wares since the mid-eighteenth century. Flow blue and historical blue transfer-printed dishes, as well as figurines for the mantel, were made in the district.When collectors refer to “Staffordshire” wares, they can mean a transfer-decorated ware, or a ware similar […]

Flow-Blue Staffordshire

Flow-blue china was made in England, the Netherlands, and the United States from about 1830 to the 1920s. The designs—often oriental motifs, floral patterns, imaginary romanticized landscapes, or historical scenes—were transfer printed on the plates, and the cobalt coloring that was used to create the design on the plate flowed beyond the lines of the […]

Moorcroft-Poole-Spode Marks

This table lists dates and marks for British pottery factories Moorcroft, Poole, and Copeland or Spode. James Macintyre (Moorcroft) “Made in England” added c.1902-1911 1898-c.1904 Printed in brown; painted signature James Macintyre (Moorcroft) 1898-1935 Printed brown; painted initials Poole Pottery/Carter and Company “Potter to H.M. The Queen” was added to the marks after 1928. 1873-1921 […]

Doulton – Minton Marks

This table lists marks used on Doulton, Royal Doulton, and Minton ceramics, the dates they were used, and the method of printing. Manufacturer Location Date Other Information Mark Doulton “England” added after 1891 1879-1902 Impressed Royal Doulton “Made in England” added after 1930 1902-1922, 1927-1932 First “Royal” Doulton mark, printed or impressed Minton  1860s Printed […]

Place Names In Marks On Ceramics from China and Japan

China China c.1900–present Republic of China 1912–1949 People’s Republic of China 1949–present Hong Kong 1842–1997 (reverted to People’s Republic of China in 1997) Japan Nippon (the Japanese name for Japan) 1891–1921 Japan or Made in Japan 1921–1945; 1952–present Made in Occupied Japan 1945–1952