Antique Plate World

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Blake_Hygate

Decorating Your Kitchen With Antique Plates

Antique plates can add whimsy and interest to your decor. Many people hang them right on the walls for a unique look.

You can hang them up on special holders made just for this or use ribbons to hold them and hang from fancy hooks.

Learning how to arrange your plates so that they look best is key to making them a successful part of your wall dcor.

Lets say you have a beautiful antique platter that will go perfect in your kitchen. You run out to the store and get a hanging bracket, insert the plate and hang it on the wall over the server. Instant charm!

Pleased with your accomplishemnt you stand back. You tip your head to one side and then the other. Squinting, you take another look at the plate. Something doesn’t look right.

If you have ever found yourself dissatisfied with the appearance of the decorations on your walls you are not alone.

Many people make the same common mistakes that the eye can read as awkward but the individual does not know how to fix.

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when arranging your plates as well decor:

Hanging Large Platters:

Large platters or chargers can be the focus of your dcor so you must make sure you hang them in a spot that is appropriate for the size and focus.

Where do larger pieces look the best?

Try above the server or dry sink, over a couch, behind the dining set, over a fireplace or on a feature wall.

A feature wall is where the placement of furniture or the layout of the home naturally guides the eye to a wall – a great place to feature your antique platters.

Hanging Small Plates:

Grouping smaller plates together in one area can add interest and keep them from getting ‘lost’. Use a common theme like, color, pattern or style to pull them together.

Hang a single smaller piece low on the wall and as close to the furniture as possible, otherwise it will seem to be floating.

Grouping Plates:

The key to grouping pieces together is to space them properly. Each item should be spaced about 3 inches away from the items on either side. Try positioning them on the floor or a table to get a pleasing arrangement before placing the nails and measure carefully before making any holes.

Height:

Plates should be hung with the center of the plate at eye level. That means the center should be about 60 to 66 inches from the floor. If you’ve visited a gallery you will see that the frames are not lined up by their top or bottom edges but that the pictures are all centered at the same height.

If the platter or plates will be viewed from a sitting position – like from the dining table, you should hang at the eye level of the sitter.

If you are hanging it behind the dry sink or server, make sure it is no more than 10′ above the back.

Using these tips you can transform your bare kitchen walls into a designer showcase with a unique focus on antique plates!

Author: Lee Dobbins

Lee Dobbins write for A Kitchen Decorating Idea Guide where you can find out more about decorating your kitchen. Don’t forget to visit the article database for more decorating ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_E_Milligan

Porcelain Restoration Can Be Difficult But Don’t

Family heirlooms are important to the entire family and it is critical to keep these pieces in the best possible shape.

Even if you take care of your heirloom by keeping them safe, accidents can happen and time itself can be a problem.

Keeping antiques and heirlooms in impeccable shape can be difficult because of the expertise needed to correct the problems and because often the tools and materials needed to fix the problem are no longer available or are hard to come by.

You could try to fix the problem yourself but frequently this makes the problem worse and can require more time and money later on.

Many heirlooms are very delicate and rarely receive the treatment that they require.

Porcelain restoration is often one of the toughest types of restoration because of its fine nature. Chips and cracks can occur easily with such a delicate constitution and are often ugly and prominent.

The substance is white and therefore hard to keep clean. If handled improperly the porcelain can chip and crack leaving noticeable damage.

If these chips and cracks are repaired by someone who doesn’t have the experience then it could make the damage even worse. This is particularly a problem if you plan to sell your heirloom as an antique.

Damages must be restored properly or they can affect the resale value of your item. Often this means that the item must be restored by an expert who has the experience and tools to do the job properly.

The cracks or chips in porcelain can go deeper than the surface and it is necessary they are repaired correctly.

Experts will often use glues that dry invisibly to correct chips or cracks; they will often be able to recreate the intricate patterns on plates or dishes. The restoration process is delicate and complex.

One example of the delicate nature of porcelain can be found in antique porcelain dolls. Antique dolls often had hands and faces made of the delicate ceramic. This type of doll is still made today but is often used as decoration or memory. These delicate dolls used to be toys for young girls to play with.

If you had a traditional doll that was passed down through your family it would definitely have some wear and tear. These dolls are so fine and delicate that it would be extremely difficult to repair.

Just like plates, tiles and other items made of porcelain the dolls face can become cracked and chipped. This must be repaired thoroughly because the dolls face is often the center of focus.

Porcelain restoration is the answer to this problem. Experts will completely repair the cracks and chips in the dolls face and any other problem areas. They will carefully examine the doll and make sure that it is in the best shape that it has been in years.

After your porcelain is repaired, be it an antique dish or doll; be sure to take the proper precautions.

You always want to keep your porcelain in a safe place and although it is made to be used you should reduce the amount of times you use the piece to lower the risk of breaking it again. Precious antiques and heirlooms should be kept in a safe environment to be admired.

Author: Andrew Stratton

Antiques that are delicate and need to be repaired with care. China repair and porcelain repair can fix the chips or cracks found in antiques. However it is important to get them repaired by professionals. To know more about restoration, visit http://www.luelstudio.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton

Professional Porcelain, China and Ceramic Repair

If your eight-year old knocks over your favorite antique porcelain vase, or your china set is showing signs of cracking, do not pick up the super glue!

Many people will use online sources to try to repair the damages to their prized china, porcelain, and ceramic valuables on their own.

Although these methods may keep a few pieces together, some of the glues suggested are almost impossible to remove and makes re-repair hopeless.

Also, shoddy patch-up jobs will actually significantly decrease the monetary value of item.

If the broken item truly is valuable and precious, you ought to call a respectable porcelain, china, and ceramic repair shop to professionally and correctly mend your piece.

If you have a precious family heirloom or a valuable antique piece of china, porcelain, or ceramic that needs repair, follow these simple steps: 1. Collect all the pieces!

It is important to bring every piece possible to the shop because it is more difficult and expensive to create a new piece than it is to just reassemble the original pieces.

2. Consult with a professional repair shop about the restoration of your item. Most shops offer free estimates.

They will help you decide if your item is worth restoring or if the job is even possible.

If your ceramic vase shatters into too many tiny pieces, proper repair may be impossible.

But if the break is simple and if the broken item is rare and expensive, professional repair may reclaim much of its value.

However, if its monetary value is low, it may not be worth the cost of repairing it professionally. In this case, super glue may be your best option. Whatever the situation, a professional can guide you to make the best decision.

3. Package your item properly. It is better to personally deliver your china, porcelain, or ceramic item to the repair shop, but whether you are hand delivering it or mailing it, it is important to package your item properly.

It is best to wrap every broken piece individually so that the sharp edges of one fragment do not scratch and further damage other pieces. It is best to double box items with at least two inches of packing around the item and in between boxes.

Extra fragile pieces require specially designed packages and special shipping. Fortunately, most porcelain pieces like cups, dishes, and most figurines do not need special packaging.

If you have questions about packaging and shipping your item, call the repair shop for answers. The repair shop will then go through a special ceramic repair process.

* First, they clean the item of dirt, glue and old repairs. Then they assemble and glue the broken pieces together. They also seal progressing cracks.

* Where porcelain is cracked or chipped it will appear white. Professionals will carefully touch up the colors by carefully matching the original surface color.

* Next, repair professionals will remake lost fragments of the valuable item if needed.

* They will then conceal all hairline fractures giving the item an unbroken appearance.

* Finally, the repaired section of a ceramic item will be resurfaced to match the original finish.

If you take the proper steps to collect all the pieces and safely deliver all the pieces, professionals can do miracles for your precious family heirlooms and antique ceramics.

Author: Andrew Stratton For professional ceramic repair the experienced artist makes museum quality invisible repairs. For more information and before and after pictures visit them online at http://www.luelstudio.com/. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton

Antique Dishes

antique plates

Antique dishes are true eye catchers. They have become famous in every aspect. They are made of porcelain, china clay or silver plated. They are popular in heritage hotels in various countries. These kind of hotels maintain the rich and varied culture and heritage.

They have a traditional way of serving depending on their specialization and region. Cuisines are served in antique plates. This gives one a feeling of dining in a classic style. Most of the antique dishes are made of porcelain material.

This is a combination of kaolin clay and petuntse which is crystalline material. This kind of material is strong, highly resistant to stains, scratches and moisture damage.

This material is the reason why tableware made from it last long enough to become very old. Ancient table ware have been used by hotels to grab the attention of the clients. they are bound to attract anyone to the dining table when carefully placed on neat clean tables, in the correct symmetry.

 The effect is even increased when matching cutlery, table cloth and table mats are used. Antique dishes are available in various shops and web sites.

However, there are some important considerations that one has to make before they purchase these items.

One needs to visit several shops so as to get an idea of what they should purchase. lternatively, one can consult experienced dealers, books or search in the Internet.

One should carefully avoid purchasing items that have flaws or cracks or any other blemishes that may not be visible to the eye.

Author: Peter Gitundu Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Antiques. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here ANTIQUES If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Gitundu