Posted 10 years ago
C.Hargreaves
(3 items)
For your consideration:
I bought this antique Johnson Bros earthenware `Castle on a lake` cup some decades ago, and recently wondered why it has the makers mark stamped in, but where I have only ever seen the `Johnson Bros England` mark painted-on and never with the letter `B` after the company name/brand.
Can anyone explain.
Is `B` the design for the series?
Or...?
What `year` would it be? Is it a `Test piece`?
With thanks, for any information.
Hi The A, B, C etc designations were used under WWII and set forth by the Board of Trade. Due to the war only certain factories were allowed to produce and the stamps were indicative of maximum price range and type of product. A bit puzzeling though on your piece because the designated potteries were only allowed to make white plain porcelain during this time. So, either they were decorated for export only to increase exoport sales for Britatin or it's left-over stock from after the war that then got decorated (maybe less possible). Anyway porcelain with this markings should be from 1942-1952.
Brilliant, OlofZ,
Many thanks.
The item does not appear to have been altered post-production in any way shape or form; so it may be an export piece, that was not exported.
It does appear older than what it is though.
I thought it was WW1 or earlier, due to condition.
I never knew the War caused so much state control; which is not a criticism for the time.
Indeed it looks older but the pattern was introduced in 1939. Beautiful though; I prefer single coloured pottery from that era. Thanks for sharing!