Bone China Manufacturers - The Complete Online Guide
Bone China Manufacturers - an English breed apart - have been supplying us with magnificent high quality tableware and decorative china since 1799.
The renowned firm Spode invented bone china (a type of porcelain with ground bone added) and since then all the other makers of repute followed suit, begging, stealing or otherwise somehow borrowing the secret recipe.
Most of the famous old household names have been bone china manufacturers for well over 100 years, so they are in a category all of their own - see antique bone china makers section.
The Information Hunt
On this page are listed the innovative firms who have been brave enough to take on the old school at the 'bone china' game (mostly since 1950).
A full review of general china manufacturers (bone china or otherwise) can be found here. For example, Adams Ironstone - a most noteworthy and historic company would be found in the general category because they were specialists in Ironstone, and never featured much in the way of fine bone china.
*Note: Despite bone china manufacturers being an English breed, some non-English firms qualify to be featured in the antique bone china section. For example, European porcelain giants Villeroy and Boch would be found in the antique bone china section because, despite their European porcelain tradition, fine bone china is an important feature in their collections. Similarly, Lenox Tableware of America also feature as one of the antique bone china manufacturers because of their award winning bone china collections.
Happy hunting! Just a quick mention of another good site featuring British Art, before we start is:
The following is a useful A to Z guide to bone china manufacturers operating since the 1950's. Most bone china firms are older and can be found listed here.
Makers In Alphabetical Order: (just scroll down)
Caverswall
Founded only in 1973 in Staffordshire, England, you could say Caverswall is a definitely a new kid on the block compared with the antique bone china makers.
The people at Caverswall obviously saw an opportunity that the big old bone china manufacturers had missed. Had they been wrong, the company wouldn’t still be around 35 years later. So where was their niche? They positioned themselves firmly at the top-end and their stockists include Asprey and Fortnum and Mason.
Their client profile boasts old money and nouveau-poshdosh alike (footballers wives). These clients often enjoy taking advantage of the bespoke service.
The bottom line for this firm is they take a stand against the tide of disappearing production values. They set their stall out on the skills and techniques of a bygone age – and I like that very much in the face of so much modern day executive flakiness.
It is important to remember that many of the big old names are just that – names only, no longer makers. The old firms have been (sometimes brutally) swallowed up by the big guns, becoming just backstamps to fiddle about with at the whim of incumbent executives. Caverswall is no mere brand name - its a proper Staffordshire company with beautiful production values. Long may they reign.
Caverwall Value Price Guide
Unlike many of the manufacturers featured on these pages, there is very little Caverswall ever on sale in online auctions (apart from their trinket commemorative items). The top end luxury 'heirloom' nature of their new prices on tableware probably mean there is virtually none on the secondary market. Added to that, they are not a mass producer and have a relatively short history, so there just isn't much Caverwall around in comparision to other bone china manufacturers who have a couple of centuries of production knocking around the secondary market.
Although founded in 1878 (Staffordshire, England by Simon Fielding) Crown Devon were not, originally, bone china manufacturers. Fielding, a mill owner, manufactured majolica, green-glaze wares, toilet wares and fancies.
In the 1930’s their figurines were made of earthenware, with a cellulose point or under glaze finish. The company traded until the 1970s when the recession and cheaper overseas competition finally saw its demise in 1982. Unlike the well documented connections of Crown Derby (see antique bone china section listed under 'R' for Royal Crown Derby), I can’t find any references to royal patronage that would authenticate the use of the ‘Crown’ trade name.
Today, a company called Crown Figurines has come up with the very clever idea of reprising the art deco figurine ranges of Crown Devon. Using the original molds, the new product is far superior because being re-created in fine bone china. Bone china allows colors to be added ‘on glaze’, extending the range of finishes and colors.
It was a shame to have the characteristically high quality artwork of the deco period spoiled by the use of inferior materials. Crown Figurines have shown great enterprise and imagination in adding value to an already collectible range. I wish them great fortune and hope they do well.
Founded 1951 in Valencia, CA, USA by Herman Dodge, I haven’t come across any warrant which would justify use of the word ‘Royal’ with the Patrician trade name.
That said I like the energy and philosophy of this company. A division of US wholesalers and importers Herman Dodge Inc, Royal Patrician has cleverly positioned itself in the same anglophile niche as prestige British icons like Rolls Royce, bench-made English period furniture and afternoon tea at the Ritz.
A genuine English fine bone china collection, made in Stoke-on Trent, Staffordshire at the heart of the English Potteries with values that take you back to a bygone era, Royal Patrician is to be congratulated - a genuine bone china manufacturer with an excellent brand.
Roy Kirkham
Founded around 1975 in Staffordshire, England by Roy Kirkham, the company is still a family owned and run business. Kirkham only has eyes for the finest English bone china.
The company has done well to establish itself as a relative newcomer (even after 30 years) against the mighty bone china brands boasting 100’s of years history (see my antique bone china section)
Susie Cooper
Founding her own pottery in 1929 after only 7 short years in the industry, Susie Cooper’s visionary drive was unstoppable, even with the overpowering current of sexism flowing against her.
Initially she didn't make bone china wares - not until the 1950's. Eventually she merged with Tuscan and concentrated solely on fine bone china. As early as the 1930's Susie Cooper won royal approval. The Duchess of York chose Cooper wares in 1933.
In the 1950’s The Royal Society of Arts chose her to design for its own china range, as well as their own 'Royal Designers for Industry' plate to celebrate their Bicentenary.
Truly highly thought of, her designs were chosen for the Royal Pavilion at the Festival of Britain in 1951. Originally buying in white-ware to decorate and sell on, she moved into the manufacture of bone china in 1950. At that time her patterns were reproduced in both bone china and earthenware.
Later, after 1964, she worked almost exclusively in fine bone china having joined forces with Tuscan ware otherwise known as RH & SL Plant Ltd - 'metallised' bone china ware (see Tuscan Tableware) who had excess capacity.
After 1967 both Cooper and Tuscan were bought out by The Wedgwood Group.
Founded only in 1973 in Staffordshire, England, you could say Caverswall is a definitely a new kid on the block compared with the antique bone china makers. 
Although founded in 1878 (Staffordshire, England by Simon Fielding) Crown Devon were not, originally, bone china manufacturers. Fielding, a mill owner, manufactured majolica, green-glaze wares, toilet wares and fancies. 
Founded 1951 in Valencia, CA, USA by Herman Dodge, I haven’t come across any warrant which would justify use of the word ‘Royal’ with the Patrician trade name. 
Founding her own pottery in 1929 after only 7 short years in the industry, Susie Cooper’s visionary drive was unstoppable, even with the overpowering current of sexism flowing against her. 
