Colclough Bone China - Founded 1890 Staffordshire, England 1890 by Herbert J. Colclough. Ex-Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Herbert Colclough was a china lover, work-a-holic and man of the people. He was the man to bring fine bone china to ordinary people rather than the rich few. His is quite a story. Read on below ......
Colclough was both hard working and driven – a powerful combination that worked together in the formation 'The Colclough China Company'.
His vision for his beloved china company was to get royal patronage which he succeeded in doing in 1913 when he was bestowed a royal license for ‘Royal Vale’ china by George 1V.
Colclough went on to innovate the production of fine bone china for the mass market in the 1930’s which makes Colclough an important part of antique bone china history.
It also makes him very popular in my own heart because Colclough’s ‘Amoretta’ pattern set was the pattern my own Mum had – and was so proud of! It would only come out on special occasions and the occasional Sunday tea. Ok, it wasn’t Aynsley or Royal Albert, but to my mother it was her pride and joy.
My father still keeps the china tea set in the family sideboard convinced of its antique bone china status. The idea was for the less well-off to be able to buy individual pieces without having to buy a whole expensive set at once. Thank you Mayor Colclough!
Colclough, having merged with Booths, then bought the Ridgeway brand (a maker of past repute and royal patronage – see my A-Z Guide, became part of the Royal Doulton Group in the early 1970's.
As well as Royal Vale, china names associated with Ridgway and Colclough are Royal Stanley and Royal Adderley. In 1996, all production was discontinued.
Colclough China Online Auction Value Price Guide
note: listed below is the US online auction prices.
Colclough was both hard working and driven – a powerful combination that worked together in the formation 'The Colclough China Company'.
