Crown Staffordshire Pottery Marks - Antique Bone China Query

by Tina
(UK)

Crown Staffordshire Pottery Marks - Antique Bone China Query: I have a complete set of bed tray china. It includes plate, cup and saucer, two sided egg holder, sugar bowl w/cover, cream pitcher, coffee/tea pitcher w/cover.

The marking on each piece reads "fine bone china - crown -est (picture of a crown) 1801 - (two backward E's, overlapping at top and touching at bottom), Staffordshire, Made in England.

Please do you have any idea if this set has any value?

Thanks,

Tina

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Reply from Peter (admin) below - just scroll down

HOW I MADE MONEY FROM BITS & BOBS OF OLD CHINA .....more

Reply by Peter (admin)

To:- Crown Staffordshire Pottery Marks - Antique Bone China Query

Hi Tina

Thanks for the valuation request. Without submitting a photo of the set and especially the Pottery Mark it is very hard to give you any information {Editor's note:- photos subsequently sent in, thank you}. It would also be useful to know if the mark was printed or hand painted, incised or embossed etc.

Nonetheless wherever possible, I try to do my best for my valued visitors! I have uploaded three photos of the three marks of Crown Staffordshire (Thomas Green of Fenton, Staffs) which fit your description. Although the marks are not "two backward E's", I suspect this is the mark you are referring to.

The first denotes The Crown Staffordshire mark from c.1889 to 1912. The second is a mark which they started to use around 1906. The third - most likely yours - uses the words "fine bone china" and began in the 1930's.

You can get a neat and succinct description of Crown Staffs history and repute in my Antique Bone China A-Z section on this website. In my view, even though they may not be as household a name as, say, Doulton or Worcester, they are one of the best and very collectible.

This good reputation was due to a large part to Jack Jones who as well as being a leading master sculptor (my profession), has also been described as one of the best ever designers of tableware. One of my heroes, he was a driving force within the company for 47 years and Crown Staffordshire were lucky to have him.

The above photos show an approximate time line of the mark you describe. Note the "MADE IN ENGLAND" pottery mark (rather than just "ENGLAND") may suggest a date earlier than the 1930's.

In terms of value for your bed tray set, first of all I must say I don't do valuations myself. Valuations for vintage and fine china are specialist niches requiring vast amounts of knowledge and expertise.

I suggest you go to the special page I have written to help people learn how to get a good idea of what their china wares might be worth:

www.figurines-sculpture.com/antique-china-values.html

This will allow you to see if the mark is identifiable by experts without you having to pay any money upfront. My service is unique online and is designed to protect my site visitors from wasting their time and money online.

That said, I would guess your old (possibly genuine antique rather than mere 'vintage') and unusual set would have some value to a keen Crown Staffordshire collector. If the set were to have been designed by Jack Jones, it will have them dancing!

Best regards,

Peter (admin)

p.s. The following page is a 'must see' if you are researching fine china - for value and identification:-

Researching the identity and value of antique and vintage fine china.