Porcelain Marks and Backstamps

Pottery marks and porcelain marks are like silver hallmarks – often difficult to decipher, frequently duplicated with very small variations by other manufacturers, and changing with periods of manufacture and management of the pottery or porcelain factory.

Stoneware and earthenware were seldom marked until the late eighteenth century and even some genuine pieces of eighteenth century porcelain are found without makers marks.

Authentication therefore is seldom simply a question of identifying the maker and the period from a sign or symbol.

Bow China Works London c1747 – 1776

1 and 2. Early incised marks.

3. Anchor and dagger mark, painted, c1760 – 1776.

4. In under-glaze blue c1760 – 1776.

Bristol Pottery Marks

Founded by William Cookworthy c1770, later Cookworthy & Richard Champion. This was closed in 1781.

Bristol pottery makers marks

1 – 5. All painted marks

Chelsea Porcelain Works London c1745 – 1769

1 and 2. Incised mark c 1745 – 1750.

3. Raised mark

4. Red Anchor mark from Red Anchor period 1752 – 1756.

5. Rare mark in under-glaze blue c 1756 – 1759.

6 and 7.  Gold Anchor mark of Gold Anchor period 1756 – 1759. Also found on some Derby porcelain painted at Chelsea c 1769 – 1775. Occasionally a large anchor is found in under glaze blue on blue and white wares.

Chelsea – Derby

On Pocelains decorated at Chelsea after William Duesbury of Derby purchased the Chelsea factory c 1769 – 1784.

1. In gold, and infrequently, red.

2 and 3. In gold.