So yes, the answer is that Staffordshire porcelain is all the above, and most collectors of Staffordshire antique porcelain know that this is a very broad category, so they almost always focus their collections on one aspect of Staffordshire porcelain. As a region, Staffordshire became the hub for many English porcelain makers and manufactories because of its close proximity to the source of Devonshire clay, a prime ingredient in the formula for most types of English porcelain. Its location was also central to major water and land transports of the time, which is another important consideration when deciding where to establish a manufacturing facility.
English porcelain was a mix of several types of porcelain, and with the diversity of potteries and porcelain makers in Staffordshire it is no wonder that recognized Staffordshire pieces can be any one of many varieties. In August , a varied collection of good Staffordshire antique porcelain exceeded all expectations when it was sold at a Devon auction house. The majority of the collection dated to the midth century and comprised Staffordshire Figures which are primarily of animals and famous people.
"STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURE THE ARCHER CA 1840"
As porcelain makers began using the Devonshire white clay their porcelain formulations became known as soft-paste or salt-glazed porcelain. This process produced a sturdy utilitarian type of porcelain and was the predominate output for many years. As porcelain makers worked to improve their formulas, a new combination using bone ash was discovered. This led to the production of a porcelain called bone-china, which was harder and more elegant looking, and more like the revered Chinese porcelain that set the standards for fine porcelain.
Probably the most recognized Staffordshire porcelain would be Blue Ware or Flow Blue Porcelain as pictured above, although Flow Blue is more a process than a type of porcelain.
The English porcelain industry was reaching its peak in Staffordshire as porcelain makers were discovering the benefits of a cobalt coloring they were using. Cobalt blue worked so well on the porous surface of unfinished porcelain pieces during the design transfer process, that the flow of the color actually helped hide some of the imperfections that naturally occur in early porcelain production.
Staffordshire Porcelain
This was also about the same time the American market was opening, and many of the Staffordshire manufactories were producing porcelain directed at this new American market. Due to their enthusiasm for the new cobalt blue coloring, even though the scenes and designs were different, the majority of porcelain pieces produced for this market used cobalt blues as the main colors, hence the name Blue Ware.
The list of porcelain potteries from the Staffordshire region includes many well recognized names in the world of vintage porcelain collectibles. Using bone-china porcelain, in they began producing a fine line of Staffordshire dinnerware under the new name of Crown Staffordshire China. Either through the invention of new processes and formulas or through their hallmarks of craftsmanship and design. It was their efforts to refine their processes or perfect their craft that place them among the most desired porcelain collectibles around today.
The Staffordshire knot mark, as it is known, consists of a three loop knot constructed from a length of rope. Often with a set of initials within the knot loops and sometimes a crown above the knot. The knot has been used by Staffordshire potters for over a hundred years and can still be found on a wide variety of Staffordshire pottery.
The knot can occur from about A woman would place the ornaments in her front window; if they were back to back, it meant her husband was at home. If the dogs faced each other, it meant her husband was out at sea, welcoming her lover in to the house. The Staffordshire region an industrial area with the towns Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton and Longton started in the ceramic business in the 17 th century thanks to an abundance of local natural materials.
Antique Staffordshire Pottery Figuresbelieve it or not? - Staffordshire Figures
Other animal figurines came out of the Staffordshire region, from domesticated dogs to wild animals like zebras, lions, elephants, and more. You can also find figures of people and scenes. Do you own what might be a Staffordshire figure, or are you on the lookout to own one? When it comes to deciding the authenticity of a piece, bringing it to a professional will give you the final word. But using your own common sense will also get you far. Please check with your local ceramics experts. I have a Staffordshire figurine 28cm of two school children and a goose.
It has vague seams at the sides and a hole in the upper back. The faces are clear and not blurred. Can anyone advise what else I should look for to see it is a genuine or fake. It was purchased from an old secondhand shop in Western Australia in Thank you for your message. Aside from the things mentioned in this blog, we do not have any further advice. We are not experts in Staffordshire Pottery, just come across it once in a while and know that it can be hard to verify.
I would recommend talking to a local expert, if you have one, who could look at the piece. I have a pair of staffordshire dogs approximately 12 inches tall.
Fanciful Figurines
They are white with worn gold spots. One dog has a chain and pendant, the other just as pendant. I also have a small pair, approximately inches tall that have black patches and black ears.
Both pair have small holes on the back side, but no markings on bottom. We had a running joke between us about these figurines because she thought they were beautiful and elegant.
Twentieth Century Figure
I, on the other hand, always told her they were ugly. I now believe them to be very precious as they hold great memories of my sister. I own two of Staffordshire Dog figurines they are Black an White with the gold chains on both just had them looked at and was told they are the genuine antique ones. Would you be able to advise me on if they would be worth anything. Best of luck in your search! I have a large rooster and hen they are very old and heavy they look like Staffordshire but iv never came across any picture of anything like these apart frm still some ground in dirt they are perfect no markings but have small hole in base how would I know if they Staffordshire or not.
All Staffordshire comes from England. We have 2 Staffordshire dogs. They have been in the family for nearly years that we can trace.
They stand approx 30 cm tall. Both a little different.