Sandford Bone China Pottery Bell - Antique Bone China Query

by Joan Elliott
(Wirral)

Sandford Bone China Pottery Bell - Antique Bone China Query: Please can you help. I am setting up a display of some of my bell collection for an event and I am trying to obtain information about various bell makers .. foundries and potteries.

I have a bell which is printed inside with a crown over the words 'FINE BONE CHINA' between this is the word 'Sandford' (this is written in pink). Beneath this are the words 'MADE IN ENGLAND' and there are 2 sprigs of leaves.

Any information about the company would be much appreciated.

Thank you
Joan Elliott

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Reply by Peter (admin)

... to Sandford Bone China Pottery Bell - Antique Bone China Query

I understand your problem in finding information on Sandford Bone China Pottery or its ceramic marks. There is virtually nothing on the net and no mention of Sandford Bone China Pottery marks in my weighty ceramic marks tomes and porcelain markings encyclopedias. The only thing we can go by, therefore, is anecdotal memories of people who remember the pottery. These are by far the best type of research when looking into the history of antique bone china manufacturers.

From the information I have gleaned, the pottery, based at Wareham in Dorset, closed in the late 1960s.

The Sandford bone china pottery was housed in a majestic Victorian building (see above), dating from 1866. You can read a full account of it here:-

Sandford Pottery memories

... an article written by Hugh Elmes whose father worked at the pottery as a maintenance engineer.

The general works were powered by a steam power whilst the kilns were powered by coal. Interestingly, the steam power continued up to the 1950s. Tramps used to sleep near the warm kilns.

Sadly, the pottery works remained as an empty shell until 1979, when a housing estate was built on the brownfield site.

The author of the article, Hugh Elmes, wrote the following poem about the Sandford pottery.

I suppose life never really stays still
Progress must take over at last
But before we accept the future
Let us take off our hats to the past.

Joan, I hope this helps with your antique bone china bell collection. Please write in to tell us more (upload a photo too!)

Hope all this helps

Peter (admin)

p.s. The following page is a 'must see' if you are researching fine china - for value and identification:-

Researching the identity and value of antique and vintage fine china.