Here is yet another installment of many guides that we, Replacements, LTD., will be posting to provide some interesting information on several manufacturer's of some the world's most collectible porcelain items.  This one will be about Chintzware - the beloved china with the "all over" floral designs.  With its cheery flowers, rich colors, & variety of designs - one can't help but smile when you see it!  Probably the most well-known chintz pattern is Summertime by Royal Winton, as shown below:   

   See our SUMMERTIME listings, HERE!

A History of Chintz China:

The word "chintz" is derived from the Indian word "chint," meaning broad, brightly printed fabric. Floral chintz patterns date back to the early 17th century. English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian adventurers were busy exploring and searching for the new world. Many visitors who explored the East returned with treasures from the lands they had visited. Several explorers brought with them fantastically decorated fabrics from India. Generally, these fabrics were thickly woven and featured brightly colored floral and bird designs. The intricately decorated fabrics became popular throughout the European continent.
At the same time, a renaissance of sorts was occurring in the pottery and porcelain industry. Pottery producers were experimenting with new glazes and decorating techniques. Josiah Wedgwood, Josiah Spode, and John Doulton each experimented with new clays, glazes, and decorating techniques. The pottery industry witnessed a number of advances during this period thanks to the hard work of these entrepreneurs.

Several pottery manufacturers wanted to replicate the brightly colored Indian designs found on chintz fabric.  And by the 1820’s there were several companies in Staffordshire, England that were producing chintz decorated porcelain – but these patterns were less intricate with looser designs, larger printed flowers, and exotic birds.  This very early “chintz” was regarded as everyday china and not held with the same high standard of finer china of the time.  During this early period, a suitable technique for transferring intricate motifs had not been developed.  China manufacturers found it equally difficult to reproduce colors that were true to the flowers they represented. It was not until the 1920’s that the designs switched gears and became more intricate with tighter florals and richer colors. 

Grimwades, LTD, now known as Royal Winton, is a name that has been long associated with fantastically designed chintz patterns.  This revelation in chintz production started with two brothers, Sydney and Leonard Grimwade.  They were instrumental in the development of manufacturing processes that allowed for the production of chintz china. They acquired the Winton Porcelain factory and renamed it Grimwades, Ltd. Before opening his china factory, Leonard Grimwade worked as a lithographer, or print maker.  Two inventions of Leonard Grimwade's, duplex lithographic transferring, and the Climax kiln, would forever change how chintz was produced, and also had a significant impact on the dinnerware industry as a whole. Duplex lithographs were designs printed on thin tissues, with detachable backs. Pattern prints were applied to the paper, and then transferred to the ceramic piece by removing the detachable backing. This new process allowed chintz patterns to be produced quickly and efficiently. To complement the pattern application process, Leonard created the Climax kiln. Unlike traditional kilns that had to be loaded, heated, cooled, then unloaded, the Climax Kiln operated continuously, and ceramics were moved in and out with carts on wheels. Ceramics, and in particular chintz patterns, could now be mass-produced. Leonard's inventions assured long-term success for his company.

              See our MARGUERITE listings, HERE!           See our OLD COTTAGE CHINTZ, HERE!

The first chintz pattern they released was entitled Marguerite.  The design for the Marguerite pattern came from a pillow that Leonard Grimwade’s wife was stitching.  Mrs. Grimwade’s pillow was decorated with a replication of an Indian chintz fabric. Marguerite became an instant sales success.  However, today – it is one of the least desired chintz patterns.  Two years following the release of this pattern, Grimwades, Ltd. changed their name to Royal Winton.  And over the course of 50 years they produced over 80 different chintz patterns.  Some of these more popular patterns were Summertime, Old Cottage Chintz, Welbeck, and Royalty.  There was a time after the WWII, that they came up with 15 new patterns in attempt revive the factory after the war.  Some of these were Sweet Pea, Stratford, Nantwich, Julia, and Beeston.   

In order to come up with new and different patterns, Royal Winton started a trend of reversing the background color on some of their more popular patterns to create a different pattern with a fresh look.  Some examples were the yellow background of Welbeck was changed to black to create Hazel and it was also changed to white to create Spring, and the golden-yellow of Royalty was changed to black to make Majestic.

                   See our WELBECK listings, HERE!                          See our JULIA listings, HERE!

Following Royal Winton’s success, many other china manufacturers began reproducing the elegantly detailed chintz fabric designs. James Kent pottery released several chintz patterns; including Apple Blossom, DuBarry, Hydrangea and Rosalynde.  Another popular chintz manufacturer was Elijah Cotton of Lorn Nelson.  They actually were known for making plain white ware for commercial or hospital use.  They ventured into chintz and today their patterns are some of the most hard to find and can be some of the most expensive due to the rarity.  Some of their more popular ones were Black Beauty, Rose Time, Heather, and Green Tulip.  Shelley of England also was well known for their bone china chintz designs, however they did create some earthenware chintz designs as well.  Their chintz is also very desirable and can be very hard to find – some of these are Rock Garden, Melody, Daisy, and Maytime.

              See our SWEET PEA listings, HERE!                       See our ROSALYNDE listings, HERE!

Other companies that were very successful with regular non-chintz patterns also made some chintz patterns that have proved to be very popular over the years.  Johnson Brothers released Summer Chintz and Rose Chintz – both are still active and thriving.   Minton’s Haddon Hall has also been an active pattern for over 50 years.  Royal Albert’s, Old Country Roses (which is said to be the most popular china pattern in the world!), even has several chintz versions that were recently introduced in the past decade. 

                 See our DUBARRY listings, HERE!                        See our HYDRANGEA listings, HERE!

The early sixties brought higher labor costs and lower demand for tableware, particularly chintz patterns, which many consumers began to perceive as being "dated." Even with transfer processes, producing chintz was still a relatively labor-intensive process. Royal Winton, acquired by Henry Pottery, Ltd. in a corporate buyout, discontinued all of the previously produced chintz patterns in favor of giftware. As the years wore on, demand for chintz pieces in the antique market showed that consumers were still enamored with the simple beauty and elegance of chintz dinnerware. Customers, the American market in particular, wanted chintz, and they wanted it in quantity!

In 1993, Spencer Hammer and Associates arranged a takeover of Royal Winton. The firm reinstated the Grimwades Limited name, and continued the tradition of trading as Royal Winton. The company's board decided the first course of action would be to resurrect the once proud chintz lines. Many "old" patterns were produced once more.  

See our ROYALTY listings, HERE!

Chintz remains immensely collectible throughout the world.  The popularity of eBay and other online marketplaces can be attributed to the chintz resurgence that occurred in the mid to late 1990’s.  In addition to Royal Winton, Kent along with several other china companies have re-released many of their original chintz patterns as well as some new ones.  These newer released patterns give collectors, both new and old alike, a chance to get newer and less delicate items at great prices to enjoy and use everyday – most of them are even dishwasher safe!  Obtaining new chintz allows a collector to simply just display their prized antique pieces while enjoying using the newer patterns without the fear of damaging an extremely rare piece!  You can find a fantastic array of both OLDER/VINTAGE CHINTZ and NEW CHINTZ in our eBay store.  Happy Chintz-ing!    

SEE ALL OUR CHINTZ LISTINGS, HERE!