( 
)Content edited from © 2007 Peter Holland, Figurine Maker & Web Publisher
P. Holland, fine china and antique china enthusiast & Sculptor for Worcester
Important Note:-
There is another guide with a similar name by someone calling themselves "bobsbestgoods"
Please note:- I am the author of these words and "bobsbestgoods" just copied and pasted my content.
This is the worst type of stealing:
For the past year, I have asked both eBay and bobsbestgoods to remove his "stolen guide" but neither has done so.
Back to the guide:-
Bone China Manufacturers an English breed apart have been supplying us with magnificent high quality tableware and decorative china since 1799.
Most of the famous old household names have been bone china manufacturers for well over 100 years. by Josiah Spode.
Watching his father buried in a paupers grave at the age of 6 must have had a lasting impression on the young J. Spode. Perhaps it was the driving force behind the formation of a company which not only survived but subsequently prospered to such an extent that his son Josiah Spode the second was able to attain the crowning glory the invention of fine bone china in 1799.
Spode’s early pottery was called creamware a delicate cream-colored earthenware. He then progressed to pearlware a fine white-glazed earthenware often covered with a blue transfer print.
From the outset, Spode's work was was distinguished from other makers of the time in that it was regarded as flawless porcelain that didn't craze, colors that didn't flake, and gilding that continued in its luster.
Spode was undoubtedly the ultimate 19th century porcelain factory in Stoke. In 1883 it became Copeland and Garrett.
The power behind the continued success of Spode was William Taylor Copeland 1797,1868. He had succeeded his father also William Copeland as business partner to the Spode Pottery. A human dynamo of a man; entrepreneur, Member of Parliament, philanthropist and Lord Mayor of London, in 1866 he was appointed china manufacturer to the Prince of Wales, heir the the throne.
He managed to buy out the interests of the Spode family and became the whole owner of the name of Spode China. Today Spode own the equally famous Royal Worcester porcelain company and together they form a group which is one of the only UK rivals to the mighty Wedgwood group in terms of fine china production.
The company was started on a small scale as a hobby by potter John in 1775. It was when his grandson John Aynsley II took over that the company exploded to the pinnacle of fine bone china making.
He also became Lord Mayor of London in 1870. You always find there's a big character behind the success of a company that goes on to great things. In this case it was the grandson.
In 1861 a bone china factory was specially built.
Aynsley China is undoubtedly one of the best examples of antique bone china makers you will ever find.
Their most famous patterns include Pembroke, Cottage Garden, Little Sweetheart, Wild Tudor and Orchard Gold. Rich people and royalty choose Aynsley bone china for their homes. These luminaries include Elizabeth 11 the current Queen of England, her son, The Prince of Wales. Queen Victoria was partial to a bit of Aynsley too.Interestingly, there are connections between the Aynsley family and the makers Paragon China and Royal Albert.
The Paragon brand was so successful it quickly enjoyed royal patronage. I suppose, by association it must have bathed in the reflected glory of the Aynsley name. Paragon Tea Cup
It was the right product at the right time.
By 1933, so enamored were the royals that a Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Mary was granted. However, there was a right royal row because they began to call all their chinaware Royal Paragon.
The warrant authorities insisted that they were only allowed to put By appointment on certain of their wares and were abusing the warrant by calling themselves Royal Paragon.
Well, they all made up and although the Royal epithet was removed, Paragon china to this day still holds a warrant to the current Queen Elizabeth II. Paragon became part of the Wedgwood Group when they bought Royal Doulton.
Doulton had absorbed Paragon in 1972 and continued with the brand until 1991, using some of the most popular patterns in their Royal Albert brand. By 1992 the Paragon name had been discontinued. So we have the unusual situation of a brand name with a valuable and current Royal Warrant with no merchandise to fulfill it.
They had good technical people working for them Branscombe, and you can find lots of quality bone china Grafton on the secondary market. However, they lacked initiative on the design front.
Grafton China became Royal Grafton after being given a royal warrant by Queen Mary. Royal Warrants are a mark of recognition to individuals or companies who have supplied goods or services for at least five years. Warrants have always been regarded as demonstrating excellence and quality, and are highly prized.
They should have invested in design and product development and somehow made a genuine name for themselves. Chasing their tale and lacking vision, they finally petered out with a whimper.
Grafton ceased trading in 1972. The trade name went on to become part of the Tams China group est 1874 which also recently failed resulting in the sale of the 90 million unit capacity per year modern industrial unit in Longton Staffs, going up for sale in January 2007.
Fine Bone china manufacturing is a tough business alright!
Royal Worcester's fine bone china is the benchmark for Quality. The company is unique in having an unbroken history from 1751 to the present day.
This makes it the oldest china factory in England. It has a reputation of unsurpassed quality.
Worcester is a one off. How did it begin in such out of the way spot in the south west of England, far away from the Staffordshire epicenter of UK ceramics?
It was all the vision of one Worcester physician, Dr John Wall. From the beginning Dr Wall’s vision was to achieve consistently high craftsmanship at all times.
Worcester were always innovators. In the 1900’s Worcester invented Parian ware, which revolutionized figure making.
The tradition was to train all young apprentices in many skills - gilding, groundlaying, printing and painting - before specializing in one area. Many skills were passed down from father to son and there was a noticeable pride in Worcester and their wares from the workforce. This pride has passed down even to the present day as I have seen first-hand in my 10 years of designing for the Company.
I have commissioned several articles from long-standing Worcester employees denoting tales and legendary characters who have they have worked with. Worcester collectors watch this space for updates. In the Victorian era, Worcester were at their height - many extensive dinner services being made for the Royal Family and European aristocracy.
They also displayed at major exhibitions where spectacular show pieces wooed the audiences (for example, the Norman Conquest Vases and the giant Chicago Vase).
Famous manufacturer of earthenware and porcelain at Burslem then Etruria and lastly Barlaston (where the factory is currently situated)
Wedgwood has a long history. It all began with the father of Josiah Wedgwood. His father owned a small kiln in the area known then, as well as now, as Staffordshire potteries. Josiah born in 1730 was the youngest of a large family. After his fathers death the pottery was passed to William, Josiah’s oldest brother. At the age of eight, Josiah went to work for his brother.
When Josiah was fourteen, he apprenticed for his brother for the next seven years. During that time, he learned the trade secrets from the master potters of Staffordshire.
Once Josiah Wedgwood completed his apprenticeship with his brother, he became a partner with two others at Cliff Bank,Stoke. The partnership lasted for only a little over a year. He then signed an agreement with Thomas Whieldon of Fenton. Whieldon was a well-known master potter and was considered to be the ‘father’ of British pottery. He produced salt glazed earthenwares and Creamwares. His was considered one of the largest potteries in Staffordshire. Josiah had an agreement with Thomas Whieldon which allowed him to do experimental work and keep the results to himself. He only stayed there for a few years.
In 1759 he started his own business at the Ivy House pottery in Burslem, England. He produced utilitarian earthenware until 1770 when he opened his new facilities at Etruria. There he began producing ornamental-type wares. It was there that the introduction of Basalt and Jasperware was made. Jasperware is an unglazed stoneware decorated with figures in relief. It can be found in blues, greens, white, yellow, black, and lilac. A combination of colors can also be found occasionally. Jasperware is produced today and is one of the most widely recognized.
Athough Josiah Wedgwood's Jasperware was well accepted, his creamware was more of a success. Since it could be easily potted and was lighter in weight, the cost of transportation was much less. Because of the lesser costs, he could offer "chinaware" at affordable prices. Queen Charlotte was so pleased with it, that she ordered a complete service with the accessories. In 1766, Josiah Wedgwood was appointed "Potter to Her Majesty, the Queen". This allowed Josiah to call his china service "Queens Ware".
During some of his travels, he met Thomas Bentley, another potter. They eventually became partners. A new "state of the art" factory was built on a parcel of land of 350 acres, just a few miles from his Burslem factory. There is where he perfected a new black body he called "Basaltes". Thomas Bentley became a valuable friend and ally. He died in 1780. Josiah married his third cousin, Sarah Wedgwood and between them had seven children (four girls and three boys). After turning over the business to his sons, Josiah Wedgwood died January 3, 1795.
© 2007 Peter Holland, Figurine Maker & Web Publisher
P. Holland, fine china and antique china enthusiast & Sculptor for Worcester
P. Holland, fine china and antique china enthusiast & Sculptor for Worcester
Important Note:-
There is another guide with a similar name by someone calling themselves "bobsbestgoods"
Please note:- I am the author of these words and "bobsbestgoods" just copied and pasted my content.
This is the worst type of stealing:
For the past year, I have asked both eBay and bobsbestgoods to remove his "stolen guide" but neither has done so.
Back to the guide:-
Bone China Manufacturers an English breed apart have been supplying us with magnificent high quality tableware and decorative china since 1799.
Spode
The renowned firm Spode invented bone china a type of porcelain with ground bone added and since then all the other makers of repute followed suit, begging, stealing or otherwise somehow borrowing the secret recipe. It was six parts ground bone ash to fours parts clay, this mixture removed the blue tint, strengthened the porcelain, allowed it to be thinner, whiter and much stronger. You can see why the begging, borrowing and stealing of this secret recipe was so popular and ushered in a new and exciting era in the making of now not just china but "Fine Bone China."Most of the famous old household names have been bone china manufacturers for well over 100 years. by Josiah Spode.
Watching his father buried in a paupers grave at the age of 6 must have had a lasting impression on the young J. Spode. Perhaps it was the driving force behind the formation of a company which not only survived but subsequently prospered to such an extent that his son Josiah Spode the second was able to attain the crowning glory the invention of fine bone china in 1799.
Spode’s early pottery was called creamware a delicate cream-colored earthenware. He then progressed to pearlware a fine white-glazed earthenware often covered with a blue transfer print.
From the outset, Spode's work was was distinguished from other makers of the time in that it was regarded as flawless porcelain that didn't craze, colors that didn't flake, and gilding that continued in its luster.
Spode was undoubtedly the ultimate 19th century porcelain factory in Stoke. In 1883 it became Copeland and Garrett.
The power behind the continued success of Spode was William Taylor Copeland 1797,1868. He had succeeded his father also William Copeland as business partner to the Spode Pottery. A human dynamo of a man; entrepreneur, Member of Parliament, philanthropist and Lord Mayor of London, in 1866 he was appointed china manufacturer to the Prince of Wales, heir the the throne.
He managed to buy out the interests of the Spode family and became the whole owner of the name of Spode China. Today Spode own the equally famous Royal Worcester porcelain company and together they form a group which is one of the only UK rivals to the mighty Wedgwood group in terms of fine china production.
Aynsley
China Founded 1775 Staffordshire by Master Potter John Aynsley.The company was started on a small scale as a hobby by potter John in 1775. It was when his grandson John Aynsley II took over that the company exploded to the pinnacle of fine bone china making.
He also became Lord Mayor of London in 1870. You always find there's a big character behind the success of a company that goes on to great things. In this case it was the grandson.
In 1861 a bone china factory was specially built.
Aynsley China is undoubtedly one of the best examples of antique bone china makers you will ever find.
Their most famous patterns include Pembroke, Cottage Garden, Little Sweetheart, Wild Tudor and Orchard Gold. Rich people and royalty choose Aynsley bone china for their homes. These luminaries include Elizabeth 11 the current Queen of England, her son, The Prince of Wales. Queen Victoria was partial to a bit of Aynsley too.Interestingly, there are connections between the Aynsley family and the makers Paragon China and Royal Albert.
Paragon
Paragon Fine Bone China - Founded by Herbert James Aynsley son of the famous John Aynsley in 1903, as part of the the Star China Company.The Paragon brand was so successful it quickly enjoyed royal patronage. I suppose, by association it must have bathed in the reflected glory of the Aynsley name. Paragon Tea Cup
It was the right product at the right time.
By 1933, so enamored were the royals that a Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Mary was granted. However, there was a right royal row because they began to call all their chinaware Royal Paragon.
The warrant authorities insisted that they were only allowed to put By appointment on certain of their wares and were abusing the warrant by calling themselves Royal Paragon.
Well, they all made up and although the Royal epithet was removed, Paragon china to this day still holds a warrant to the current Queen Elizabeth II. Paragon became part of the Wedgwood Group when they bought Royal Doulton.
Doulton had absorbed Paragon in 1972 and continued with the brand until 1991, using some of the most popular patterns in their Royal Albert brand. By 1992 the Paragon name had been discontinued. So we have the unusual situation of a brand name with a valuable and current Royal Warrant with no merchandise to fulfill it.
Royal Grafton
For me this brand is important in that it teaches you how not to go about developing a brand name. At one time they were a major employer in Stoke, with whole families working for them.They had good technical people working for them Branscombe, and you can find lots of quality bone china Grafton on the secondary market. However, they lacked initiative on the design front.
Grafton China became Royal Grafton after being given a royal warrant by Queen Mary. Royal Warrants are a mark of recognition to individuals or companies who have supplied goods or services for at least five years. Warrants have always been regarded as demonstrating excellence and quality, and are highly prized.
They should have invested in design and product development and somehow made a genuine name for themselves. Chasing their tale and lacking vision, they finally petered out with a whimper.
Grafton ceased trading in 1972. The trade name went on to become part of the Tams China group est 1874 which also recently failed resulting in the sale of the 90 million unit capacity per year modern industrial unit in Longton Staffs, going up for sale in January 2007.
Fine Bone china manufacturing is a tough business alright!
Worcester
Fine bone china Royal Worcester - Founded 1751 Worcester, England by Dr John Wall.Royal Worcester's fine bone china is the benchmark for Quality. The company is unique in having an unbroken history from 1751 to the present day.
This makes it the oldest china factory in England. It has a reputation of unsurpassed quality.
Worcester is a one off. How did it begin in such out of the way spot in the south west of England, far away from the Staffordshire epicenter of UK ceramics?
It was all the vision of one Worcester physician, Dr John Wall. From the beginning Dr Wall’s vision was to achieve consistently high craftsmanship at all times.
Worcester were always innovators. In the 1900’s Worcester invented Parian ware, which revolutionized figure making.
The tradition was to train all young apprentices in many skills - gilding, groundlaying, printing and painting - before specializing in one area. Many skills were passed down from father to son and there was a noticeable pride in Worcester and their wares from the workforce. This pride has passed down even to the present day as I have seen first-hand in my 10 years of designing for the Company.
I have commissioned several articles from long-standing Worcester employees denoting tales and legendary characters who have they have worked with. Worcester collectors watch this space for updates. In the Victorian era, Worcester were at their height - many extensive dinner services being made for the Royal Family and European aristocracy.
They also displayed at major exhibitions where spectacular show pieces wooed the audiences (for example, the Norman Conquest Vases and the giant Chicago Vase).
Josiah Wedgwood (& Sons Ltd)
Famous manufacturer of earthenware and porcelain at Burslem then Etruria and lastly Barlaston (where the factory is currently situated)
Wedgwood has a long history. It all began with the father of Josiah Wedgwood. His father owned a small kiln in the area known then, as well as now, as Staffordshire potteries. Josiah born in 1730 was the youngest of a large family. After his fathers death the pottery was passed to William, Josiah’s oldest brother. At the age of eight, Josiah went to work for his brother.
When Josiah was fourteen, he apprenticed for his brother for the next seven years. During that time, he learned the trade secrets from the master potters of Staffordshire.
Once Josiah Wedgwood completed his apprenticeship with his brother, he became a partner with two others at Cliff Bank,Stoke. The partnership lasted for only a little over a year. He then signed an agreement with Thomas Whieldon of Fenton. Whieldon was a well-known master potter and was considered to be the ‘father’ of British pottery. He produced salt glazed earthenwares and Creamwares. His was considered one of the largest potteries in Staffordshire. Josiah had an agreement with Thomas Whieldon which allowed him to do experimental work and keep the results to himself. He only stayed there for a few years.
In 1759 he started his own business at the Ivy House pottery in Burslem, England. He produced utilitarian earthenware until 1770 when he opened his new facilities at Etruria. There he began producing ornamental-type wares. It was there that the introduction of Basalt and Jasperware was made. Jasperware is an unglazed stoneware decorated with figures in relief. It can be found in blues, greens, white, yellow, black, and lilac. A combination of colors can also be found occasionally. Jasperware is produced today and is one of the most widely recognized.
Athough Josiah Wedgwood's Jasperware was well accepted, his creamware was more of a success. Since it could be easily potted and was lighter in weight, the cost of transportation was much less. Because of the lesser costs, he could offer "chinaware" at affordable prices. Queen Charlotte was so pleased with it, that she ordered a complete service with the accessories. In 1766, Josiah Wedgwood was appointed "Potter to Her Majesty, the Queen". This allowed Josiah to call his china service "Queens Ware".
During some of his travels, he met Thomas Bentley, another potter. They eventually became partners. A new "state of the art" factory was built on a parcel of land of 350 acres, just a few miles from his Burslem factory. There is where he perfected a new black body he called "Basaltes". Thomas Bentley became a valuable friend and ally. He died in 1780. Josiah married his third cousin, Sarah Wedgwood and between them had seven children (four girls and three boys). After turning over the business to his sons, Josiah Wedgwood died January 3, 1795.
© 2007 Peter Holland, Figurine Maker & Web Publisher
P. Holland, fine china and antique china enthusiast & Sculptor for Worcester
Guide created: 07/31/09 (updated 07/31/09)
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