Antique Plate World

History

Charles Mason is credited with creating ironstone plates in the early eighteen hundreds and since he also designed antique bone china his designs and creations are highly collectible. But he was not alone in creating ironstone tableware, nor should they be confused with low cost dishes. Ironstone is also known by different names such as hotel china, white granite and semi-porcelain to name a few.

Today’s ironstone plates look great and hold up over time but are totally different to the antique ironstone dinnerware that is highly collectible.

Ironstone dinnerware has its roots like many things in mass marketing. The early 1800′s saw British potters experimenting to create an inexpensive dinnerware into the hands of the masses. This ironstone was refined earthenware but heavier and thicker than most porcelain.

Ironstone was given birth as the new ‘semi-porcelain’ of the time although as a refined earthenware is not true porcelain. It became popular in Great Britain first and then went viral in the United States where many ironstone potteries were thriving.

Ironstone was manufactured in Staffordshire, Great Britain where potters looked to improve dinnerware called pearlware. Charles Mason patented the term ‘ironstone’ in 1813. By 1820′s other local potters were producing the same transfer printed and hand decorated pieces but manufacturers discovered that their clientele preferred austere white dinnerware. Once the conquered the UK, America became their next target market.

Ironstone maker’s marks are normally a coat of arms and a crown of some kind. Unmarked pieces exist but without the entire dinner set it is difficult to determine whether they are genuine.

American Ironstone Dinnerware

At the time America had a small tableware pottery industry since most potteries focused on manufacturing bricks, tiles, stoneware and redware. The fashion for white ironstone dinnerware  meant potters could thrive without needing to know about hand painting or transfer printing.

New Jersey and the then Ohio had high quality clay and together with a highly developed transportation system made them the centers of American ironstone tableware production.

New Jersey

Ironstone production began in the late 1850′s and was marketed as ironstone china, white granite, hotel china and stone china and by the 1890′s a thriving industry was established.

Ohio (later New York)

This area began producing yellowware in the 1840′s but  by the 1870′s had moved on to ironstone dinnerware.  Two of the most famous brands from the region are Knowles, Taylor and Knowles and The Homer Laughlin China Company.

It is best to identify pieces by the maker’s mark found in the center of a piece’s base in under glaze black, dark blue or brown.

Following tradition, early American marks are similar to English marks, so research is needed to discover the origins of a piece. There are several guides available which can date maker’s mark and help identification.

Do not limit yourself to Mason antique plates but research and discover other ironstone manufacturers whose pieces will become more valuable with time.

Ironstone dishes also range in price starting from twenty dollars to anything over four hundred dollars. Today there are auctions, online auctions, forums and shows to help you buy pieces for your collection. Shows and forums give you access to knowledge on current pricing, condition and availability.

Ironstone plate collecting requires experience and lots of research but both these can be acquired over time. Ironstone antique plates are wonderfully collectible, great to decorate with and if you look to the UK and US there is also a great selection of ironstone plates to select from.

standing antique ashtray

Antique ashtray, pocket ashtrays and antique lighters are becoming more and more difficult to find.

Now that smoking is no longer fashionable, beautifully crafted antique ashtrays, pocket ashtrays and antique lighters are no longer used – yes, they are on their way out.

Which makes them the perfect antiques to collect.

Once a popular drawing room piece, highly decorated and adorned, antique ashtrays today are hidden away.

Unlike antique teacups or antique dishes that can still be used, ashtrays like smokers have been cast out – in the case of smokers – into the garden.

And you wouldn’t buy a beautiful antique just to stick it outside where it can get broken, forgotten and faded.

Would you?

But if you love to collect, this means these antiques are one of the best buys in the collecting market. And because no one else is collecting pocket ashtrays, antique lighters and antique ashtrays, you can select from the best for a fraction of their real antique value.

At one time antique ashtrays included simple pocket ashtrays carried in a ladies’ or gentleman’s purse or pocket. They were both practical and decorative according to your station and finances.

antique ashtray

Some drawing and smoking room ashtrays were so large that they were supported by hand crafted tables and stands made of brass or gilded iron. Often they were part of a smoking set housing tobacco, antique lighters, cigarettes and cigars which adorned living room tables in the best homes and gambling houses in Europe.

Ashtrays were manufactured in the shape of animals, flowers, hand painted and gilded in every shape and color. Later colored glass ashtrays became popular and decorated with scenes of flowers or landscapes. As tobacco became more accessible to the masses, ashtrays were manufactured in every type of material including metal, ceramic or glass.

Smoking and ashtrays were a fixed part of high society and had a style that reflected that elegance. Today ashtrays are scarce, plain – desperate to be invisible.

This has become the best time to collect ashtrays from the 1920’s when smoking was considered very chic and sophisticated. These ashtrays were made from bronze or pewter in often as standing ashtrays or tall ornaments. They are not quite antiques but will be before too long.

Don’t Forget The Souvenir Antique Ashtray

There is a raft of souvenir antique ashtrays that deserve mentioning. For a long time tourists doing the grand European tour purchased or stole ashtrays as souvenirs. Street bought ashtrays were fairly pedestrian but those prized from high class hotels were proof of visits made to grand cities and made the best gifts for friends and family back home.

These pieces are great collectibles if you ever find them.

Famous Ashtrays

Ashtrays owned by the rich and famous may not yet be classified as antique but are very close.

Marlene Dietrich had 23 ashtrays when she died, including souvenir ashtrays from Maxim’s in Paris, fetching more than $3,220 when sold at auction.

There are Frank Sinatra ashtrays so famous and in demand that a whole line of fakes have been created and seeping into the auction market for the unready and unsteady buyer.

Famous comedian George Burns left several ashtrays behind which brought in large amounts when sold.  One of his chipped glass ashtrays brought in more than $100 over the reserve of $250 others were sold for over $1,000.

If you are looking at collecting antique ashtrays this is the time to research and buy because the price of ashtrays is will only rise. Before too long the best ashtrays will no longer be classed as inexpensive. As usual keep your eye out for any markings on these pocket ashtrays, antique lighters and antique ashtrays by going to online auctions, garage sales and yard sales – you never know what you will find.

The best way to start collecting antique cups and saucers is by knowing everything about it. photo by http://flickr.com

Do you know the value of your antique cups and saucers?

 You may not know it but you could be in possession of rare heirlooms passed down by your great grandparents.  

In the world of rare antique finds, antique cups and saucers may not be on the list of Tomb Raiders or Indiana Jones but that doesn’t make them less rare, precious or collectible.   

So dust them off because if you know the value of them, the manufacturers history and the family history then collecting more antique cups and saucers and antique plates could become a lifelong pastime.   

It is important for an antique cup collector to know the value of each piece in your collection. And the best way to start it is by knowing its background and everything that surrounds it.  

Silverware and Porcelain 

While very early cups were made of silver for the wealthy, today these are expensive and not as easy to collect as porcelain. The huge variety of colors, shapes and manufacturers that produced porcelain tea sets makes collecting easy and inexpensive.Once you know the style of what you like, the era and what you will happily pay the hunt begins in every nook, cranny, antique and garage sale.  

More Than Just Display

Don’t neglect them – use them. Just think how many teas, coffee or hot chocolate were poured and drunk from these cups. How nostalgic to think that the antique cup you sip your hot chocolate from is the same one your grandmother drank tea with her friends or relatives.How many occasions, happy and sad were celebrated over a cup of tea or coffee? And nicer than pulling out a photo album.  

While many choose to display their antique cup collections as decorations, it shouldn’t be forgotten that these cups were designed to drink tea, hot chocolate or coffee. Wash With Care.   

When antique cups are used as a display they collect dust. If you use them to serve at an afternoon tea party they could be stained by tea or coffee.  

Either way, hand washing antique cups and saucers is the best way to preserve them. Putting them into a dishwasher is a great no-no. They may break, chip or discolor. If you are enjoying your antique collection then take good care of them and always wash them by hand.  

It Is Not About Money 

For collectors, antique cups and saucers is not about money. But money is important. The question is how valuable is this tea set and what are you willing to pay for it?  

Know the value of the cup before buying it. And the best way is by looking at its background. Asking questions about where it was made, which manufacturer, the year and the cups condition are essential.   

Heirlooms, Collecting And More 

The more you learn about antique cups and saucers, the more knowledge you gain and the more your passion and interest in collecting grows.  

So when adding to your collection of heirlooms whether from an antique shop or buying online the best advice is; buy what you like. That way if they never go up in value you will continue to enjoy your cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.  

There are many antique cups and saucers out there, so are you ready to collect?

The first move to do when buying antique cups is looking at its background. photo by http://www.flickr.com

If you’re collecting antique cups you are probably scouring the internet, looking at Google, Yahoo and Bing and other search engines and sites to get the best deal possible. After a while it’s overwhelming. So many sites, so many antique cups – so much information.

People searching the internet for antique cups are looking for the best places to buy or sell antique cups, how they should look after them, how they can repair them and even how to spot fakes. This short article will look at what three things you should avoid.

The first thing is to get a lot of background information on the type of antique cup you are looking for. After all, you can buy an antique cup for as little as one dollar. Not very much is it? But what do you get for your money?

Knowing more of the specifics is essential to good collecting. Such as what should an antique cup of that era, from that manufacturer and locality normally cost? Are you looking at a reputable site? Can you check the credentials of the seller?

Listed below are the three points you must avoid:

1. Avoid buying the first antique cup you find. Even if appears to be the right color, manufacturer and year, inquire about any cracks or stains that the cup has had. It is relatively easy to cover up a hairline crack in a photograph or even a stain. But once you have bought it, it’s too late. You can never be too careful when it comes to buying antique cups, especially when buying from a photograph.

2. Avoid buying from photographs. Is the photograph clear enough to show you the condition of the handle. Handles are easily broken. They can also be easily glued back. If you’re happy with a glued on handle for a fraction of it’s normal price that is totally up to you. But if you want a good quality item – double check before you buy – if the photograph isn’t clear enough then you have the right to ask.

3. Avoid buying the markings on the cup. Does the cup have markings and are they real? Don’t fall in love with the markings. Anyone can add a marking under a cup or plate and if you don’t know what you’re doing you could be buying a fake. This is a problem with the internet, researching, deciding and buying without seeing the product.

Your best option is to do your research first before you buy because once you have bought the antique cup it may not be so easy to return or get your money back. Even if you’re only spending a few dollars you want the time, effort and cost of each antique cup you buy to be worth it.

Deal with each of these issues and you will increase your chances of buying an antique cup that you will be happy to add to your collection and enjoy each time you use the cups to serve your guest tea and coffee.
If you’re really passionate about collecting, buying or selling antique cups then build your antique knowledge to cover different periods, manufacturers, styles and fashions. Whether it’s for your next tea party or just adding to your collection, the more you learn the more you’ll know what you like and why you enjoy them so much.

photo by http://www.flickr.com

Would you use an antique plate every day and night? For most people plates are just another kitchen utensil used during mealtime.

But for others plates are more than utensils particularly if they are antique bone china passed down from generation to generation.

Your great grandmother handed it to your grandmother. Your grandmother passed it down to your mother. And now, the plates are under your care.

The length of time the plates stayed in your family could establish them as antique plates. Are you using valuable antique bone china every night and don’t know it?

Well, it is time for you to take your antique plates and dishes out of the cabinet and discover how much that antique bone china is worth – in dollars and historical value. But most of all, it is time to learn how to lengthen their shelf life, so you can hand them down to the next generation looking great and in great working order.

Putting Value On Plate

•Play inspector. Imperfections found on antique bone china created by the manufactures should not disturb you. What is important is if our antique plates have cracks, stains and discoloration due to incorrect use. Check the designs. Take note if they are stamped, hand-painted or a combination of both. Stamped designs were popular after the 1900s.

•Look for the MARK. Manufacturers or makers of antique bone china still leave a logo or mark on almost every piece they produce. It may include the series where the plate is included or even the date when the plate was created. If you antique plates have marks – what do they mean and what does that tell you?

•Check out sources. Investigate online stores that can provide you with more information about the manufacturing company. If the name of the manufacturer cannot be found, refer to the logo instead. There are certain sites online that can provide you with manufacturer’s logo. You may want to compare it with the one found on your plate.

•Ready for appraising. Now you hold the basic information you need about your antique bone china. It is time to visit a couple of appraisers to judge the condition and quality of your plate.

Increasing Shelf Life

To extend the life of you antique plates so you can display them or hand them down to your future offspring,

photo by http://www.flickr.com

here are some ways to do just that.

• Put them inside a secure chest or cabinet so that no one can touch them. I personally don’t like this point unless you plan to see your antique bone china I think you should use them – even if only on special occasions.
• Whether using your antique plates regularly or leaving them as a display – wash them regularly so they do get food, dust and dirt stains on them.
• Never place antique pieces in the dishwasher. You run the risk of breaking them or stripping the designs from them.

Antique plates are great dinnerware and display, something of real value you can sell if you ever need to. For most people antique bone china is a great way to preserve family history.

If you’re interested in collecting, buying or selling antique plates and antique bone china then you should build your knowledge over different periods, styles, fashions and manufacturers. The more you learn about antiques the more you’ll know what you like and collect.

Staffordshire Pottery Marks

The Staffordshire Potteries refers to the area known in the 17th century for ceramic production. It consisted of six towns that make up Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England: Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton and Longton.

Over 1500 pottery companies have operated in Stoke-on-Trent since the early 1700′s. The reason for the concentration of potteries was the local availability of clay, salt, coal and lead, which are all needed in the production of quality pottery.

Some companies only stayed in business for a few years while some have been operational for over 200 years. The distinction in the pottery is found in the Staffordshire pottery marks; they clearly identify the manufacturer and the time period when the ceramic or porcelain was produced and the pottery marks could be letters, crests or symbols on the bottom of the piece.

A popular ceramic and porcelain manufacturer was Wedgwood.

The first ceramic pieces circa 1860 -- 1900 by Wedgwood used standard name-mark or impressed marks, “Wedgwood”.

The Wedgwood mark changed many times within that same time period. Another printed mark read “ROYAL STONE CHINA WEDGWOOD & Co.” and incorporated a printed mark of Royal Arms.

Another Wedgwood pottery mark circa 1890 -- 1906 displayed a lion standing on a crown with banners circling above stating “SEMI ROYAL PORCELAIN” and the bottom banner reading, “WEDGEWOOD & CO. ENGLAND”.

Another popular Staffordshire pottery was Spode. Spode was founded in 1767 by Joshua Spode who has been credited for the perfection of the formula of fine bone china.

The first pottery marks circa 1780-1790 by Spode were early impressed or printed mark in upper and lower case letter of the company name. In 1805 -- 1833 Spode used typical printed marks. One pottery mark was written in script , “Spode’s Imperial”. Another pottery mark read “Spode’s New Fayence”.

Staffordshire pottery marks reflect the craftsmanship of these potteries and these marks indicate who and when these pieces of art were created. Today they are used to help to date and value a piece of English pottery from the area.

Author: Blake Hygate

Blake is the owner of a website that called AllEnglishpottery.com, which provides information on British based pottery makers as well as providing Pottery for Sale. Of course one of the most popular of all pottery from England is Staffordshire Pottery, which can also be found at AllEnglishPottery.com.

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H&K Tunstall – The Delicious Dozen

Hollinshead and Kirkham, originally of Burslem in Staffordshire, moved their pottery works to nearby Tunstall in 1890.

They catered mainly for the middle class end of the market and, in the main, produced a range of conservatively designed dinner ware.

However in the economic slump following the First World War the company needed to do something to address their falling sales.

Designer Harold Growcott was their White Knight.

Growcott came up with a range of designs for hand painted porcelain that tapped into the growing interest in all things Art Deco.

The designs featured an abstract painted background of two or more colours on which bold fruit or floral designs were hand painted. The result was bold and exciting.

The Delicious Dozen as it came to be known was actually a range of 14 designs, but let’s not be pedantic about a good nickname.

The designs were applied to many of the existing pre-war shapes, to give them a new lease of life, as well as some fresh new shapes more in keeping with the Art Deco style.

Due to its similar subject matter and large bold painting style H&K has also been dubbed ‘Poor Man’s Moorcroft’ but if the prices I have had to pay for some of my pieces are anything to go by, that’s not a title that fits today’s collecting market.

This is the major collectible area for this pottery. Hey made many dinnerware designs, many of them very attractive but none of any real collector interest (except, of course to people who have a set handed down to them from their grandmother).

But the Delicious Dozen have become extremely popular in recent years and if you come across a piece you will understand why.

Author: Karen Bellamy

Karen Bellamy is a digital as well as a traditional scrapbooker from Australia. She writes the Scraps of Mind blog which she describes as: A feast of Scrapbooking information and tutorials for both the Digital Scrapbooker and the Traditional Paper Scrapbooker. Seasoned with Antiques & Collectibles, Music inspired, and Blog Presentation articles to add some extra spice. All served up with a light hearted and fun style.

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Moorcroft the Man

William Moorcroft was a born and bred Staffordshire potter, hailing right from the heart of Stoke in Burslem, no less. He was born in 1872, and his work spanned the Arts and Crafts and Art Noveau Movements, at the turn of the century.

When master potter William Moorcroft was learning his trade at his art school which became the place to be for local talent, he little knew what antique treasures he was about to produce.

In 1897, William Moorcroft was offered a job as a designer with James MacIntyre and Company who wanted to start an art pottery department.

Moorcroft remained the designer at MacIntyre prior to beginning his own firm, Moorcroft pottery in 1910.

This success encouraging him to set up on his own and continue to produce floral designs into the 1930s, using more exotic flowers could only mean greater success.

Moorcroft now moved into a numberof floral designs interpreting the earlier work of Tiffany, Galle, and others in a new and unique style.

He was quite prosperous through most of these times as the public demand for his work remained high.

He further experimented with landscape designs, and these are now, years later highly sought after.

The man’s elder son, Walter, took over management and design on William’s death.

William’s artistry and designs were quickly recognized for their quality and innovation while the Second World War saw a return to the manufacture of plain goods for military and civilian use, and in 1945 William Moorcroft died.

A daughter, Beatrice, and a son, Walter, were born to William and his wife, Florence, in 1914 and 1917, respectively.

William’s son, Walter, reminiscing about his early experiences working for his father, once, apparently described his methods of manufacture as highly secretive and most unorthodox.

One thing is for certain, Moorcroft pottery was extremely popular back then and still remains as such to this very day.

Author: John E Milligan

For all your antiques please visit http://www.best-antiques-auctions.com for truly amazing prices. You will find Moorcroft, Clarice Cliff, Beswick, and all the other familiar and not so familiar names there.

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