How to Identify British Pottery Marks and Hallmarks

Need Help With a Pottery Mark or Hallmark?

Pottery collectors today are interested in many kinds of pottery and porcelain. It's often hard to identify old pottery because pieces' crests are from all over the world. Most pottery companies marked their wares with a mark also known as a hallmark. However, some did not, leaving no way of identifying the piece. Companies also change hallmarks from time to time, which can lead to problems when one is attempting to identify a given piece.

The process of identifying a piece of pottery can be frustrating. As a rule, pottery pieces were marked to show the company of origin. Some hallmarks were incised into the clay, some stamped, while others were painted onto the piece. Many companies used transfers to leave that all-important hallmark. Many marks contain extra letters, numbers, and strange symbols along with the name of the country of origin. All of these added marks can be confusing for the person trying to identify a given piece.

I collect antique pottery, so I have felt the pangs of frustration firsthand when attempting to identify a piece of pottery. I have put this article together to help my readers understand hallmarks a bit better and be able to identify pottery with a lot less frustration.

Reproduction: Can You Tell the Difference?

As long as there have been antiques, there have been fakes and reproductions. Telling the two apart can be difficult even to the trained eye of an expert. But antiques have become fashionable, and as a result, many of them are being copied or reproduced as fast as can be.

Like copies of clothing and jewelry, many pseudo-antiques are cheap-looking and fake. However, there are good copies too, where time and effort have been spent to make them look authentically aged. People who want to buy or sell antiques should research how to tell a fake from the real thing. Because reproductions are realistic and so similar to the antiques themselves, it is easy to be fooled.

How to Easily Decipher British Registration Marks

In 1842, England started to offer registration of its decorative designs for pottery, china, wood, paper, porcelain, and glass. I have added charts below to help you learn the method of how the British marked their wares. These charts can be useful in identifying your wonderful British antiques.

Marks include the date the given design was registered. Keep in mind, that not every piece made in England held this mark, and remember the date was just when the design was registered. For example, a given piece of pottery may have been in production long before it was registered, so it may not hold the mark. An item with a registry mark or number would be protected from other companies duplicating the design.

English Registry Marks:

The following two diamond-shaped marks were used from 1842–1883:

• Mark I: Used from 1842–1867
• Mark II: Used from 1868–1883

Each letter on the diagram is represented in one of the tables below:

• A: Materials
• B: Year
• C: Month
• D: Day of the Month
• E: Bundle Number

D and E are not in the tables below because the actual number on the mark represents them.

British Registration Mark I: 1842–1867

British Registration Mark II: 1868–1883

Dating a Piece of English Pottery via a Coat of Arms

The royal coat of arms was only used by businesses that had the privilege of being a holder of a royal warrant. Today, royal warrants are granted to people or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services for a minimum of five consecutive years to members of the Royal Family.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, many potters who did not have a warrant, both in England and also foreign firms, included the coat of arms as part of their mark. A business owner speculated that including the royal coat of arms in their hallmark, would add some sense of importance and value to their wares. In the same way, many potters use the name "royal" as part of their name or trademark.

It was Queen Victoria who ensured royal warrants gained the prestige they now hold today. During her 64-year reign, Queen Victoria and her family were responsible for granting more royal warrants than ever before—more than 2000.

The royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom has evolved since the 1100s and reflects the history of the monarchy and England. The coat of arms has remained unchanged since Queen Victoria.

The shield shows the various royal emblems of different parts of the United Kingdom: the three lions of England in the first and fourth quarters, the lion of Scotland in the second, and the harp of Ireland in the third. The shield is supported by the English lion and Scottish unicorn.

The plant badges of the United Kingdom—rose, thistle, and shamrock—are sometimes displayed beneath the shield.

Pre-1837 the Royal Coat of Arms Sported an Additional Centre Shield

Under King George III, the 1801 coat of arms of England occupied the first and fourth quarters, the arms of Scotland the second, and the arms of Ireland the third.

For the house of Hanover, there was an escutcheon overall (a center shield over a large shield).

When identifying a piece of pottery that's hallmark uses England's coat of arms, look for the escutcheon (shield over shield). This will help you date the piece, as to whether or not it was produced before 1837.

Reader Feedback

Jim WALLACE on August 10, 2020:

Hullo Aussie here with a bowl I think I was told belonged to my great grandmother who came out to Aust around 1850-60 I think. The mark on the pottery is ' 5A FRENCH 1301-7 MADE IN ENGLAND '.

Can’t send photo this format

Can any one give me info please?

thanks

Jim

Mari Timbrell on May 24, 2020:

Hi I have a vase with a crown stamp and England on the base. It also has other words etc but these are illegible. It also has something like ‘Taso’paint on the base with a number. It is very difficult to decipher do you know where I can find out who made it. It belonged to my great aunt. I’ve tried to look it up but no luck. Thanks

Sharlee (author) on March 10, 2020:

Hi Wendy, I am out of the country at this time. When I return in the spring I will have a good look at my hallmark reference books, and try to get you a company that made your plate.

Wendy on March 10, 2020:

I have a willow pattern plate with PPC stamped underneath in blue print with a pattern on either side. CDan you tell me the maker please.

Sharlee (author) on October 21, 2019:

There were a couple of English pottery companies that used swords or what could be arrows --- Coalport, BRISTOL,WORCESTER, and CAUGHLEY, DERBY. The McKinley Tariff Act of 1891 required that the name of the country where the ceramic was originally made must be printed on each piece. Due to the piece being ID with England would most likely indicate it was made after 1891.

malcolm on October 21, 2019:

i have a rose bowl with england written on the bottom with a red or brown sword like symbol

Karen Schaup on June 07, 2019:

Great information here. However--I found dinnerware while cleaning out a house that says Coronation Newport Pottery Co ltd Burslem England. There is a crown and a lion holding a round object. I have not been able to find anything about these. Would you happen to know?

Jude on June 18, 2018:

Dollaraha, blue wear china, does anyone e have in info about this company. There is a seven digit serial number and a 13 place string of numbers and letters. Two joined wings is the emblem written in blue

Alice on March 08, 2016:

Hi Sharon!

I've some porcelain that my grandfather left me years ago! I didn't find the marks in your list!

Could you please help me to find the right brand?!

Can we keep in contact ?! :)

Best regards

Alice

liz on January 20, 2015:

hi - i have an oil bottle - i have been told its from the 1800's - its blue and white 4 sided with a spout and lid with a cork attached - i have also been told its delft ware but i can hardly read the markings - it is a black marking with what looks like a tree at each edge leaning into a shield with 3 white and 2 black strips under that it says delft then it becomes illegible then under that a swirly pattern - on its right it looks like a 6 with a stoke above it - can you help me identify it??