How old is my pot ? Useful pointers to dating ~ Part 2

Hornsea Vase

How to date a pot from the marks on the base?

There are a wide variety of potters marks placed on the bases of pots. Just try turning a few over and see what you can find. You can buy books and find internet sites which help to trace the manufacturer and date of manufacture from these marks ( more on this later) – in the mean time here are a few ideas which should help without the need to go any further.

The Word England was placed on the base of pots as the country of manufacture was required by the McKinley Tarriff Act from 1891. Pots with England on the base will date after this time. This was upgraded to Made in England circa 1920

Words like “ Ltd” after the company name and the word “Royal” or a Royal Coat of Arms will mean that the item is Victorian at the very earliest as would a pattern name on the base of your pot.

Oven Proof, Microwave Safe and Dishwasher Safe are all later 20th Century inovations a Bar code on the base would never be found pre-1970s.

Bone China, Fine China are both 20th Century and I am told that Great Britain is a mid 20th century term.

Do you have any more general rules that I can add to this list?

Part 3 of “How old is my Pot” will cover looking up the date from the manufacturers trade marks