About Antique China & Modern Fine Porcelain
Forward to the Guide
This section includes a complete antique china (& fine china) free online guide in the format of an A to Z listing of firms.
You will then find the guide sub-divides and automatically links to further sub-sections of "Bone China Makers" and "Modern Fine China Manufacturers (those factories founded after World War 2 in the second half of the 20th Century).
You may want to have a glance at the page below to understand how to get the best out of this section on the site (now over 1500 pages of information).
However you can just go right ahead to the entry you are looking for by going direct to the guide here:
I tell the background stories behind the world's
leading fine china makers in UK, Europe and USA. When they were formed,
who established them, and what their mojo was all about - intended as a
quick connoisseur's guide, which gets to the heart of it, not a dry, in
depth history.
Each entry makes fascinating reading, at least, for us china buffs...
Searching the info on this site
You may also want to use the in-house search function to find some specific information, like a pottery mark you can't identify, for example, or a particular maker's history.
If all you have is an obscure pottery mark with no company name, use the search box to describe the mark as best you can. Try several different versions of the search term descriptions, as you might just get lucky a second, third or fourth time.
Antique China Classification and Labels
As a general rule, people think of bone china being an English type of ware, which in the main it is. The English company Spode finally got the recipe perfected in 1799. After that, other English makers followed.
On the European continent, the makers were mainly concerned about emulating the great German firm of Meissen who had finally discovered the long hidden secret of true Chinese porcelain in 1710.
So, if you were wondering, the difference between porcelain and bone china is that bone china is essentially porcelain with ground bone added. Bone china is whiter, and some say a big stronger, although that is disputed.
Other non-English firms did go onto become famous bone china makers, like Knowles Taylor Knowles of Ohio which won many awards for their fine bone china before their untimely demise and European makers Rosenthal and Villeroy & Bosch who both have significant bone china ware in their modern collections.
Within the guide, I include all of the notable makers, many of whom are household names, but some of which no longer are.
This is because, if they used to be big producers, even though they are pretty much unheard of nowadays, they would have produced a lot of stuff and therefore, people are likely to have their wares and be searching for who the heck they are and whether their stuff has any value or not.
What about the smaller, less known firms?
There are many hundreds of small pretty obscure antique china makers who are not included in the main section, but come up for discussion in the china chat forums. So, for these, again, use the search box above and get hunting.
The reason the smaller or lesser known makers are not covered in the main listings is because with all the tiny firms included, the listings would be impossibly long.
Instead they are written about in the public forums which have
over 1500 pages of information - mainly guided by your common queries.
Think about the main list as listing the major names. If you feel a major name is missing, please let me know.
Continue onto . . .
What Other Visitors Have Contirbuted
Scroll up a bit to the online form to make your own contribution, or to ask a question .....
.... or Click below to see contributions from other visitors...
Rice bowls Blue and white. Unidentified marks.
Hello all, I am Tori Maricelli and I live in Texas.
I have worked in the oil field on and off for about 20 years and I was hit by the last major lay off …
Japanese Tea Set - Is it a Collectible? Or not?
Japanese Tea Set – Is it a Collectable? Or not?
What a wonderful and informative website this is! I have been trying for many many months to identify …
Delft or German manufacturer? Unknown blue crown mark.
I am so happy to have found your site and hope you can help me solve my little pottery mystery. I started collecting pottery and fine china about 20 years …
Boy with Watering Can - does any one know who made him?
I am a Canadian artist living in Düsseldorf, Germany. I make large drawings on glass.
My works depict a small stage-like still life set-up in my studio. …
Deco Style Colclough China Mark "Made in Longton"
I love collecting china and pottery, and part of the delight is finding out a bout the age of the piece and wondering who used the china cup and saucer. …
Religious Mary & Jesus Figurine mark query - Dresden above X with letters RW (the R is reversed)
Religious Mary & Jesus Figurine mark query - Dresden above X with letters RW (the R is reversed):- Hello! Thank you for such a wonderful and informative …
Pottery China Plate Mark Identification 'U.S.A.' Within Round Circular & Water Fountain
Pottery China Plate Mark Identification 'U.S.A.' Within Round Circular & Water Fountain:- I found this plate at a garage sale of a woman who used to have …
Royal Grafton China 1981-1992
Royal Grafton
I was approached to become Marketing Manager at Royal Grafton in 1981. I had spent 13 years with Wedgwood, mostly in export sales for …
Royal Worcester Vase Mark Interpretation
Royal Worcester Vase Mark Interpretation:- This is my mother's vase which she kept of her parents when they passed away. They lived in NY in the early …
The Value of Antique Porcelain Figurines and Other Questions
The Value of Antique Porcelain Figurines and Other Questions:- I am trying to write a piece re collectable figurines as well as Royal figurines. Regarding …
Antique plates " japanese" marking
"Japanese" scrolled pattern name on old Victorian Staffordshire blue & white plate with B.G. initials within fancy cartouche oval garter pottery mark device …
Antique and Fine China Collectibles - Burleigh Fox Hunting Jug Pitcher
Antique and Fine China Collectibles - Burleigh Fox Hunting Jug Pitcher:- I have a jug stamped on the back Burgess & leigh ltd. Burleigh ware ESTD 1851. …
Thomas Dudson? Ornate Antique China Floral Trinket
Thomas Dudson? Ornate Antique China Floral Trinket:- Hello Peter! I wonder if this bowl could be a Dudson. Width is about 20-23 cm and hight about …
Antique or Fine China Made in Austria hand painted porcelain vase
Antique or Fine China Made in Austria hand painted porcelain vase:- Ran across this hand-painted porcelain vase with "Made in Austria", a circle with …
Antique and fine china query - jasper ware style Serpent jug - John Turner of Lane Ends c.1785-1800?
Antique and fine china query - jasper ware style Serpent jug - John Turner of Lane Ends c.1785-1800?:- I have acquired a very captivating little jug, …
Antique and Fine China - AW DEKOR FRIESIS BLAU
Antique and Fine China - AW DEKOR FRIESIS BLAU:- I have 2 items from a car boot sale. Same pattern same make. not english - that I do know. They both …
Antique or Fine China english ironstone green /white patterned plate
Antique or Fine China english ironstone green /white patterned plate:- I am looking to find how old this plate is and a bit about it . i picked up 4 from …
8" plate with Cartoon of Edwardian Collectible Bathing Belles and Suitor marked F. & V. I. England Patent Applied For
8" plate with Cartoon of Edwardian Collectible Bathing Belles and Suitor marked F. & V. I. England Patent Applied For:- I have an 8" plate that reads …
Antique Vintage China Collectible Japanese Figurines - Pair of Male & Female 14" Statues with Unknown "M" stamp
Antique Vintage China Collectible Japanese Figurines - Pair of Male & Female 14" Statues with Unknown "M" stamp:- We were told that these statues were …
Antique & Fine China Collectibles - Limoges Dinner Set - Green Fleur de Lis Mark
Antique & Fine China Collectibles - Limoges Dinner Set - Green Fleur de Lis Mark:- Inherited 12 place Limoges dinner set from my grandmother, likely given …
D mark under a crown - over the glaze
D mark under a crown - over the glaze:- Dear Peter, I have bought this plate and was wondering if this type of D mark under a crown is from the decoration …
Antique China - "Favorite Bavaria" 1916 Makers Mark
Antique China - "Favorite Bavaria" 1916 Makers Mark:- This bowl was given to my wife's grandmother in 1916 and passed down to my wife in later years. …
Antique China Mystery - Large Painted Blue and White Bas Relief Vases
This is the story of Terry Huber from the US who had happened across the pair of painted blue and white vases and was curious to know their history. …
Character mug with a gold N inside a gold circle
Character mug with a gold N inside a gold circle (or is it an N inside a C?):- Picked them up at an estate sale, they looked old and unusual. They were …
Antique & Fine China Collectibles Query - Blue Crown over an "H"
Antique & Fine China Collectibles Query - Blue Crown over an "H":-
Mom has an old teapot and we would figure out how old it is and where it was made.... …
Antiques & Fine China Collectibles Query - CROWN MARK AND POMPEYI MARK
Antiques & Fine China Collectibles Query - CROWN MARK AND POMPEYI MARK:- I recently purchased an item described as an ANTIQUE ENGLISH MAJOLICA VASE - …
Unidentified coat of arms pottery mark with two lions rampant
Unidentified coat of arms pottery mark with two lions rampant:- I've been clearing out my mother's house and have found lots of 'bits and bobs' that she …
Clover and Crown Pottery Mark Query - White Eagle with Gold Beak and Talons
Clover and Crown Pottery Mark Query - White Eagle with Gold Beak and Talons:- I have a beautiful figurine of an eagle. The bird is solid white with only …
Antique China Hallmark
pottery mark - S with artists palette:- I have a set of Antique China that I have not been able to identify the manufacturer. The hallmark is a painters …
Antique China China Query - Jacob Hertel Bavaria Germany and Lutz Austria
Antique China China Query - Jacob Hertel Bavaria Germany and Lutz Austria:- I have a small cup and saucer and the back stamp is Jacob Hertel Bavaria Germany …
Anitique China & Fine China Query - Japanese tea set or not?
Antique China & Fine China Query - Japanese tea set or not?
Great website...
As a child we went to visit an aunt and she gave us 2 china tea sets …
Antique China Spode - Tumbledown-Dick Pattern Tea Set
Hi Peter - Not sure if you got my last e-mail but just thought I would let you know -I am almost 100% sure that I have identified the Spode Ware shown …
New Chelsea China - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query
New Chelsea China - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query:-
Hi Peter, Please can you help, my mother has just died and she has as new a tea …
Weird German Cheese Plate Found in Florida? Antique & Fine China Query
Weird German Cheese Plate Found in Florida? Antique & Fine China Query:- I recently found a porcelain cheese plate that caught my attention because of …
Asbury Longton Tea Set - Antique China Query
Asbury Longton Tea Set - Antique China Query: hiya ive recently been left a tea set by Asbury Longton (Glencoe pattern)and Prince of Wales feathers all …
Harvey Adams Formerly Adams & Scrivener, Subsequently HAMMERSLEY & CO Query
Harvey Adams Formerly Adams & Scrivener, Subsequently HAMMERSLEY & CO Query: Hello Peter, I don't know if you can help with my enquiry. I have two vases …
Atlas China - How To Find Out The Value? - Antique China and Fine China Query
Atlas China - How To Find Out The Value? - Antique China and Fine China Query:- I have a gold-glazed miniature pitcher with "Atlas satin-gold, Reg. US …
sugar bowl leonard street pottery
could you please give me any information that you may have on the following item?
possible sugar bowl?
top half green with ornate gold pattern
gold …
Information regarding a bone china dinner service
Could you please provide me with some information regarding this dinner service
It has a stamp on the bottom of a crown with Lubbery or Lubery bone …
EMPRESS CHINA - HOW OLD IS IT? - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query
EMPRESS CHINA - HOW OLD IS IT? - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query:- I HAVE A SET OF DISHES AND ON THE BACK IT SAYS
EMPRESS CHINA
Fine …
Grafton China Tea Set - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query
Grafton China Tea Set - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query:- My grandma recently acquired a Grafton china tea set from a friend of hers who …
Zandra Rhodes and Royal Albert (Albany??)
I am struggling to find someone who could value a broken statue that can not be replaced. The item is an Albany china figurine designed by Zandra Rhodes …
Sir John Bennett China Tableware Set - Antique China Query
Sir John Bennett China Tableware Set - Antique China Query:- Hi there, I'm not sure if you can help, but I have had no luck finding anything on Sir John …
Duchess Bone China Tea Set - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query
Duchess Bone China Tea Set - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query:
I have been looking on your site today, & am looking to …
Hammersly NOT 'Hammersley!' China Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query
Hammersly NOT 'Hammersley!' China Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query: We have a large collection of Hammersly China (NOT 'Hammersley!) …
Meissen Figurine - Is This The Real Thing? Antique China Query
Meissen Figurine - Is This The Real Thing? Antique China Query: The figure is about 6 inches high. The base is about 3 inches across.
I purchased …
Rosenthal Figurines - Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Otto Koch and Hugo Meisel - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query
Rosenthal Figurines - Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Otto Koch and Hugo Meisel - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query:- I am trying to find …
Capodimonte Shoe / Boot - Antique China Pottery Mark Query
Capodimonte Shoe / Boot - Antique China Pottery Mark Query:- I have in my possession a porcelain booty marked with N and five crowns. This is the pottery …
Fleur de Lys Pottery Mark - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query
Fleur de Lys Pottery Mark - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query:- I am looking for the mark - 3 small fleur de lyse on top of 1 large fleur …
Booley - Hanley - (editor's note: read as 'Bodley') Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query
Booley - Hanley - (editor's note: read as 'Bodley') Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query:- We have a set of 12 plates made by Booley-Hanley. …
'Standard China' England? - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query
'Standard China' England? - Antique China, Fine China and Modern China Manufacturers Query: Hello! Greetings from rainy Massachusetts! You have a very …
Woods Ivory Ware - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query
Woods Ivory Ware - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query:
I have 6 plates that are Marked on the back "woods Ivory ware" england with the crown …
Antique China and Fine China Query - Royal Cauldon "Exotic Birds" Green Pattern
Antique China and Fine China Query - Royal Cauldon "Exotic Birds" Green Pattern:
I am desperate for expert advice. I won a lot of this beautiful pattern …
Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query About Burslem Manufacturer
Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query About Burslem Manufacturer:- My Mother is 76 and was looking at her fine bone china collection which she …
English Bone China - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query
English Bone China? - Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query: Hi, I was on your site to find out what the marks mean on a china set I have, …
Capo Di Monte Figurine - Antique China Porcelain Question
Capo Di Monte Figurine - Antique China Porcelain Question: Question: I have a beautiful antique Capodimonte figurine which I would like some more information …
Antique China and Fine China Collectibles - MORTLOCKS PORCELAIN MARKINGS ON FLOW BLUE PLATTER
Antique China and Fine China Collectibles Query:- MORTLOCKS & W.H. GRINDLEY mark on a Flow Blue Platter
Q. I have a Flow Blue Platter that has a …
Further Reading:
What to look for when buying antique china.
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