Pottery Antiques
In 1890, the United States government passed a law requiring the name of the country of origin appear on any pottery imported. If the name of the country of origin is printed on a piece of antique pottery, it was almost certainly crafted after 1890. If no country of origin is specified, examine the mark, more elaborate marks are generally found on newer pieces of vintage pottery, and initials or short names usually appeared on higher quality antique pottery. The word "Trademark" was printed on English wares after 1855, and antique pottery with the letters "LTD" were generally produced after 1880.
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Basins and BowlsPottery is opaque when held to the light, while porcelain is translucent. Some types of stoneware made of a hard non-porous pottery are more difficult to distinguish from porcelain being slightly translucent as well.
Cups and JarsInspection of the decoration on a piece of pottery or porcelain can help establish antiquity and origin. Blue or black transfer designs were used at the end of the 18th century, green pink and brown transfers were generally popular around 1820, and hand painted plates was fashionable from 1870 to 1900. Decal designs, and gold-rimmed plates marked 22 carat were manufactured in the 20th century.
Dishes and PlatesThe Wedgwood Pottery factory of England is among the most prominent pottery manufacturers of all time. His brother kept Josiah Wedgwood from the family pottery business, so he entered into partnership with several others in 1752 and developed several innovations. Josiah Wedgwood continued his work and experimentations as the head of his own company that opened in 1759.
Figures and GroupingsStaffordshire is a district in England that was a hub of pottery manufacturing since the mid 1700s. The Wood family produced the most famous Stafordshire pottery in the 1700s, during which time Ralph Wood made the famous Stafordshire groupings, satirical commentaries of the prevailing politics.
Jugs and CrocksFine Korean ceramics have a reputation that nearly rivals that of the Chinese. Korean wares are categorized into three groups named after dynasties; the Silla (57 BC - AD 936), the Koryo (936 - 1392) and the Yi (1392-1910). Ceramics of the highest quality were made during the Koryo dynasty; this period is considered the zenith of Korean ceramic production. During this era the technique of inlaying black or white slip was commonly used. Typical shapes include ribbed boxes, spouted vessels, miniature vases, cups on stands, and perfume pots often with lobing, reeding or waved edges.
Mugs and SteinsStoneware steins from Germany have been popular among collectors for years. The factory of Villeroy and Boch located in Mettlach, Germany was established in 1841 by Jean Francois Boch and Nicholas Villeroy and produced the most coveted steins of the day.
Pitchers and VasesIn 1765 Josiah Wedgwood invented a cream-colored pottery that was fancied by the queen, giving rise to queens ware. The most coveted Wedgwood product however is jasperware; which is usually blue, lavender, or green with a raised white design. Wedgwood pottery is virtually always marked, and the quality of the pottery is such that inexpensive copies are easily recognized.
Sets and CombinationsMocha ware was a popular English pottery imported to America in the 19th century; this heavy pottery with colorful ornamentation is easily dated and identified after few encounters. The name mocha was derived from the similarity between the colors of the clay used in the pottery, and that of coffee with cream. The body of mocha pottery was always colorfully decorated but the handles consistently remained a light coffee color.
Teapots and Coffee Pots Porcelain is colder to the touch than pottery; holding a piece of pottery in one hand and porcelain in the other, one can easily sense this. Pottery is softer, and will break more easily than porcelain, which is thinner lighter, stronger, and pricier. The more porous nature of pottery results in greater susceptibility to staining.
