Query About Identifying Pottery Mark - Vale 6104

by Lynnda
(Wellington, New Zealand)

Vale 6104 - Query About Identifying Pottery Mark: We are cleaning out my parents house and have come across a set of 6 trio tea sets they are stamped genuine bone china Vale made in Longton England (unfortunately one side plate has had a repair). Does this mean they were manufactured before "The Royal" pre 1913?

We are very interested as this may have also survived the Napier earthquake?

I have tried to attach a couple of photos.

Thank you
Tony and Lynnda
New Zealand

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Reply by Peter (admin)

Hi Tony and Lynnda

Nice trios, shown beautifully on the embroidered tablecloth. Us tea lovers can't help liking a nice display like that, and Colclough is my particular favorite. Thanks for an interesting query which might clarify this point for many others.

To answer your query in general terms, the various 'Royal Vale' and the 'Vale' marks were both used after 1913 up until the 1940's. After the merger with Ridgway (Pearsons) in the 1950's the 'Royal' was very often used in the oval mark similar to your mark, so is an easy dating clue.

The 'Vale' pottery mark on your trios dates, according to my encyclopedia, from 1945-1948 and was then adapted by the new Pearsons group to read 'Royal Vale'.

Hope this helps.

Peter (admin)