Is this pottery an antique?

Just passing on more tidbits as I gather them.  This one is on how to identify or select possible antiques.  Something I really need to learn, it will save time, frustration and money to just learn the simple applications to this technique.

Well first you need to establish whether it is old or new.  Now they tell me they easiest way to do this is to identify all the pieces that are "new, newest" and do an elimination process.  So if the piece is plentiful more than likely it is a fairly common piece, which means it, is not in demand.

Next turn it over, it there a mark on the bottom.  The mark could be an emblem, country it was made in, year, and pattern name.  Now if the name of the country is on the bottom it was made after 1890/1891.  If it says "MADE IN ENGLAND" it was likely made after 1914.

No name on the bottom, well look at the mark.  I'm told that the more "elaborate" the mark the newer the piece.  If it says trademark  (an England brand) it was made after 1855, and if it has LTD it was made after 1880.  If it has initials or short names it is a quality item.  RD means registered so it was made after 1885.

There are other clues you will find helpful too.  Diamond mark 1842-1883.  No diamond, just RD and numbers it was made 1884-1909.  There are other dating systems such as pressed numbers on the bottom. 

So what if the dish I'm look at is plain on the bottom, no date, country, how do I know if it is a valuable piece.  You will have to consult books and use the pattern, shape or edging as a guide to distinguish its worth.  Remember that earlier pottery/ceramics were heavy, had no rim.  This was due the technology of that period.  Manufacturing techniques have changed and the ceramics are lighter in weight.

Old pieces show sign of wear, I know if I was 50 or more years old I'd look like it.  You know the saying "use it or lose it" well even if you never used me, I'd be fragile to the touch and may crack or craze at the slightest handling.  Same with antiques, there will be some wear, a crack, scratch, or crazing.  You do want to select the most perfect piece because it will be of greater value.

This method of identification requires considerable skill; that is judging a piece by its decoration.  I have learned that blue and black transfers are end of 18th century, green, pink, and brown transfers are 1820's, hand-painted are 1870 - 1900 and 22kt gold is 20th century.

So, what's the difference between pottery, ceramics and porcelain?  Okay, remember this pottery is opaque; light does not come through it (easily).  Pottery is softer and easier to break; it cracks with lines flowing through it and stains easily due to its porous ness.  Were porcelain is translucent, when held in front of a brilliant light the light flows through.  Porcelain is cool to the touch, and when broken it chips in small like pieces.  Porcelain is thinner, more durable and "more expensive."

So those are some tidbits on identifying antiques.  I have found this information helpful when I'm out looking; I hope it is useful to you too.

Susanna's Treasures