China Chat
The China Marks of America & Canada
Early American china marks were few and far between. Pottery was generally utilitarian and unmarked, but as the 19th century wore on, the process began of using backstamps for marketing and identification purposes.
The Zanesville, Roseville and East Liverpool districts of Ohio came into their own as a regions and grew many successful makers.
Things really began to change after 1920.
One of the great landmarks of
American porcelain (which I talk about in my A- Z guide of china makers)
was when, in 1917, the great Lenox company was the very first of the
American makers to win a contract to supply the Whitehouse.
How US Makers Found Their Mark
Prior to Lenox winning the Presidential patronage in 1917, the natural assumption amongst US citizens was that American made china could only be in some way a poor imitation of the grand production values of European porcelain.
After all, Europe was making mighty sophisticated porcelain works of art from way back in 1710, when the American people were still struggling to colonize a huge and challenging new land.
So utilitarian American pottery was seldom marked and more refined wares would have marks resembling the Europeans.
After WW1 there was a great sweep of modernisation which resulted in those who invested thriving and those who didn't going to the wall. Many American companies went out of business at that time, in fact you can get an idea of how many if you read the long list on the East Liverpool museum's website
(see www.themuseumofceramics.org/pottery.html)
Those that survived began to take on the might of the European porcelain makers and were very successful at it. Lenox of course and Homer Laughlin was, at one time, said to be the biggest pottery in the world.
Then came the emergence of a more self-confident American style.
For me, where the American makers come into their own are the factories that produced their own distinctive form of folk art pottery.
Many US makers are now very collectible.
We have some interesting China Chat about companies like Watt a prime example of American folk art within a manufacturing context.
We have a nice post about Weller and the post about The Oxford Pottery Company is a treasure and I also love the post which identifies a mark which appears to say 'Yang' as the 'Mana' Pottery, the work of a Native American group of potters.
I also love that we had the granddaughter of the founder of Blue Mountain pottery visit us to identify her family mark.
Shenango China, who we identified by someone sending in a small shard they found
in the middle of nowhere.
So if you are looking at pottery marks in the US, 1890 is one of the key dates to remember. All china and porcelain marks had to show a country of origin on import goods after that date, so that may help you identify an unmarked folksy piece as early 20th century American.
Browse through the China Chat entries, they are worth getting your nose into!
This is the pottery & china marks identification forum archive page 5. A free-to-access record of solved or retired queries posted by our visitors.
Together, since 2007, we have been building this unique archive of shared knowledge on identifying pottery and china marks. Some people whose marks we have identified had been looking for over 20 years.
A big congratulations if you have been one of the people who have helped or posted an interesting query. Feel free to browse or search freely..
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5. China Chat - American & Canadian Marks
Below are the China Chat archives for American & Canadian Marks.
McCarty Pottery
Hi Peter
I discovered and purchased these three pieces of pottery from a local thrift store. My interest started in pottery several years ago when I …
Decalcomania Semi-porcelain plate rim shard - GMC or CGM or GCM or MCG or MGC Co.
Hello, my name is Rob.
I'm a Cleveland State University junior. I do not have much of a background in porcelain. I have been researching the makers …
Celery? Dish/Tray marked W. C. Co
I’ve been trying to research this dish (tray or plate) on and off for about 10 years now, I inherited this beautiful piece from my great grandmother who …
WK heart with arrow through pottery marking on Grandparents old ceramic lamp with glass and ceramic flowers
As a young child I adored these lamps at my grandparent's house. They were kept in their bedroom and the grandchildren were not allowed in there. I would …
"Hand Made" "USA" Green Oval Stamped 'Johnny?' California?
Hello!
I hope someone has an idea about this piece. I'd appreciate anyone's help if you have an idea of what the mark might be. I have tried to find …
Two blue feathers mark of a pair of seated figurines, or possibly leaves conjoined at the stem
I have two figurines that are a set. I have tried the marks books and several search engines but have not been able to come up with the maker. The mark, …
2 LIONS WITH A OVAL IN THE CENTER WITH LETTERS (I THINK) V&B AND A CROWN ABOVE THE OVAL
2 LIONS WITH A OVAL IN THE CENTER WITH LETTERS (I THINK) V&B AND A CROWN ABOVE THE OVAL:- I am fansinated with english china and pottery. I love to find …
Pottery Mark Query - Laurel Wreath on either side of a globe.
I purchased this porcelain bowl at a local Goodwill store.The bowl measures 15.5 inches wide, by 4.5 inches deep. Inside the bowl are "hand" painted flowers …
Eve-N-Bake bowls and one with 7 with a capital B
Eve-N-Bake bowls and one with 7 with a capital B:- Hi, I am inquiring as to get any information on a pottery bowl. I received a set of 3 similar bowls …
Pottery Mark Query - "GTC" in triangle on bright yellow and red on art studio thrown pitcher jug
Pottery Mark Query - "GTC" in triangle on bright yellow and red on art studio thrown pitcher jug:- I'm from Québec, Canada, and I'm searching everywhere …
Brazos Santiago, TX saucer fragment.
Brazos Santiago, TX saucer fragment.:- This fragment was found last week at the civil war era site of Brazos Santiago in south Texas. This site is within …
Old Bowl marked "Iron Stone China - "Extra Quality" with 2 lions
Hello, When my mother passed away, I found an old bowl in her apartment, way back in a cabinet under the sink. It may have been in the building before …
Pottery Maker and Mark Query - Yang USA Studio Art Pottery
Pottery Maker and Mark Query - Yang USA Studio Art Pottery:- Hello Everyone, Well I was at this garage sale the other day and I saw this unusual looking …
IK Within a Circle Mark on Art Pottery Drip Mugs
IK Within a Circle Mark on Art Pottery Drip Mugs:- Found a set of brown drip pottery mugs. I cannot identify them. HELP, please! I have done research …
Pottery mark - 'Ford' inside oval with a cross like an 'x'
Pottery mark - 'Ford' inside oval with a cross like an 'x':- I picked this up in Minneapolis about 25 years ago. I just found it again packed away with …
Pottery Mark Query IPC (I P C) Initials inside iron cross symbol with 'Beau Vitreous' Above
Pottery Mark Query IPC (I P C) Initials inside iron cross symbol with 'Beau Vitreous' Above:- I have a pitcher/basin which I suspect is 200+ years old …
Pottery Mark Query - A stylized "BB" or "1313"
Pottery Mark Query - A stylized "BB" or "1313":- We have a small blue and yellow pottery tray with a ruffled edge that has a mark on the bottom that looks …
Child's tea set - W.K.C.co ELO pottery mark
When I purchased this child's tea set I was told it was American. I would have thought German, but W.K.C.co ELO pottery mark:- I can't seem to ID the …
Ohio Valley Stoneware - Impressed Stamp Pottery Mark
Ohio Valley Stoneware - Impressed Stamp Pottery Mark:- Im trying to find info on this
marked ohio valley stoneware 004
can anyone help me please.... …
China Mark Query - Wells with a peacock
China Mark Query - Wells with a peacock:- About 20 years ago I bought a set of china at an estate auction (not sure what material) for about $600. There …
Pottery mark Query - Bow and Arrow with Semi-Porcelain Written
Pottery mark Query - Bow and Arrow with Semi-Porcelain Written:- Hi. I was given this plate along with a few other pottery items. Was hoping someone might …
Famous Fiestaware Makers Homer Laughlin Circle Mark on Hotel Ware Pitcher
Famous Fiestaware Makers Homer Laughlin Circle Mark on Hotel Ware Pitcher:- This pottery backstamp is on an old homer laughlin hotel china pitcher or …
Pottery Mark Query - W with V intertwined on cat with moustache
Pottery Mark Query - W with V intertwined on cat with moustache Looks like a cat with a human face. The face has a moustache it is about 3 inches long …
Pottery Mark Query JW WEBSTER
Pottery Mark Query JW WEBSTER:- Grandfather was a rhododendron nut when they were first brought over to the US. This was obviously his.
The mug …
Pottery Mark with a Circle Inside a Square with a Howling Wolf
Pottery Mark with a Circle Inside a Square with a Howling Wolf - also line flowing from inside of square to the outside of circle:- picked it up on an …
Mark of the Sevres China Co?
Mark of the Sevres China Co?:- I acquired this piece from an estate sale of an antique dealer that had been boxed up for 30+ years. There was a good …
Pottery mark query - 5-pointed star on teapot - a Brown Betty?
Pottery mark query - 5-pointed star on teapot - a Brown Betty? - I have a teapot....I *think* it's (guess I need somebody to identify that part for me …
MP POTTERY MARK ON BOWL
MP POTTERY MARK ON BOWL:- I HAVE AN 8 SIDED POTTERY BOWL WITH "MP" STAMPED ON BOTTOM. THIS IS THE ONLY MARK THAT I CAN SEE, AND EVERYWHERE I LOOK I CAN …
Dutch Scene Dresden China
Dutch Scene Dresden China:- We have an old tea (coffee?) pot that was given to us at least 40 years ago. This piece came from a friend of my grandmothers …
Weller pottery mark
I am puzzled why a Google search results in no actual pictures of Weller pottery marks. I found a roughly twelve inch wide by 4 inch high ceramic dish …
pottery mark with number and usa below it
pottery mark with number and usa below it:- i have numerous pieces marked with a number and USA under it.
Can anyone volunteer any ideas about who …
6 gal crock with crown stamp
6 gal crock with crown stamp on the side:- I recently rescued a 6 gal crock my parents were going to thrown away. I am interested in finding out more …
pottery mark id - MCP Co OR MPC Co OR CPM Co OR CMP Co OR PMC Co OR PCM Co
pottery mark id - MCP Co OR MPC Co OR CPM Co OR CMP Co OR PMC Co OR PCM Co:- i have a green bowl 7.5" dia. 2" tall with potter's mark
large M with a …
Help With Sun Burst Pottery Marking on Vase
Help With Sun Burst Pottery Marking on Vase:- I need a little help with the markings on the bottom of this vase. Don't really know much about it, I got …
Incised U S A Marked China
Incised U S A Marked China:- I inherited my grandmothers china- I cannot find any like it, I dont know when she got it. I have a 16? serving set? or …
Pottery mark query - Mueller and Circle Device
Pottery mark query - Mueller and Circle Device:- Hi all, I picked this one up recently and I'm have in hard time finding the maker. It is marked on the …
Pottery Mark Query - Tree or Flower in box over USA
Pottery Mark Query - Tree or Flower in box over USA:- I bought a storage lot recently and found a bunch of pieces with this symbol on the bottom of them. …
Society Fine China - Pattern: Harvest Time
The mark is very clear that the maker was Society Fine China. Online it is sometimes called Fine Arts China (on Replacements LTD). Some of the pieces …
Pottery marks help needed - 'p' inside pot on platter - bottom pic
Pottery marks help needed - 'p' inside pot on platter - bottom pic:- I bought a blue green drip egg platter at a yard sale Saturday. The original price …
Lion & Griffin (Gryphon) Cookie/Cracker Jar Mark Query
Lion & Griffin (Gryphon) Cookie/Cracker Jar Mark Query:- I have purchased a cookie jar which all of my collector books indicate "maker unknown". The jar …
Pottery Mark Query - "Marco"
Pottery Mark Query - "Marco":- My Grandmother passed away when I was only 2 years old, but growing up I always loved to look at the china collection she …
F G or G F Pottery Mark Query
F G or G F Pottery Mark Query:- I have had this vase stashed away in a cupboard for years, and found it recently. It has a mark on the bottom, but I …
Pottery Mark Unknown - C inside a circle - Green Pea Pod Dish
Pottery Mark Unknown - C inside a circle - Green Pea Pod Dish:- At a garage sale recently, I spotted a rather strange dish of sorts and decided to buy …
M L Studio Potter's Mark
I'm very keen to identify this unusual mark. It looks like an 'M' with an 'L' laid over it on the left hand side and then a line around the outside of …
Unusual Sevres Type Mark with Red Triangle FBS France
Unusual Sevres Type Mark with Red Triangle FBS France:- Hello, I have a porcelain box that has markings similar to Sevres. However, the blue mark is encircled …
Unknown Mark on Figurine - M & R With a Crown
Unknown Mark on Figurine Query - M & R With a Crown:- Hi there, I have just bought a very nice figurine which has a marking on the bottom that I was hoping …
Pitts - Studio Pottery Marks Query
Pitts - Studio Pottery Marks Query:- Thank you so much for your web-site. What are the "strange" marks on my little clay pot w/lid? I purchased a little …
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