FINE CHINA, FIGURINES, CLAY SCULPTURE & POTTERY MARKS,

The Fine China Definitive Guide
Curated by a Master Sculptor.

Welcome to the fine china inheritors most comprehensive resource - that also happens to provide a haven for enthusiasts, wheeler-dealers and collectors alike.

My name is Peter Holland, master sculptor for prestigious fine china brands like Royal Worcester. I am here to record and share the knowledge I have gleaned over a long career working within this incredible and beautiful form of industrial art.

My mission is to help you become enlightened in the identification, valuation and understanding, not to mention the stories behind the fine china in your hot hands.

Remember, fine china can easily stick around way longer than us - if we treat it well and nurture its delicacy.

My Story:

My journey began in a sculptor's studio, crafting figurines for brands that defined an era. This hands-on experience gave me a unique insight into the artistry and history of fine china. Now, I want to share that passion with you.

Fine china sticks around. We humans don't. This makes it historically interesting, even though, yes, it goes in and out of fashion. If nothing else, is an amazing insight into the past - like going through the portal of a time machine.

The passion we have for fine china, porcelain, bone china and stone china is rooted in its jewel like decoration. The millennial generation and their younger counter parts 'Generation Z', are turn their heads back to their Granny's china as an oasis of beautiful intricacy, amongst all the grey minimalism. Some if us have always kept a sideways glance at this unique and fascinating art form, never wanting it to go away.

This website began as a guide to figurines sculpture, but then, it expanded - and then some!

The three fine china UK factories I mainly worked with are Royal Doulton, Royal Worcester and Coalport. Some of the best work I did in collaboration with Compton & Woodhouse holds its value and still sells for £200-£700. My early work (pre-Compton & Woodhouse) can be snatched up for a bargain price of £25-£40 - keep an eye out.

So here's what this website deals with nowadays:

Who made your antique china? And what pottery marks identify the makers? And also how do we find antique china values? What's it worth? And how future antiques are made. We have lots of interaction with you, the website visitors (on the forums & discussions) - That's my website. Join me. It's fun.

Inherited a china set?... Download my free 7-point checklist to instantly assess its potential value.

How this website blends information

My name is Peter Holland I am a professional ceramic sculptor (more in the About).

I am grateful for the help I have had from site visitors in developing this site. For example, they asked me to help with getting their stuff valued by trusted professionals.

I am considered a clay sculpting expert, but I am pretty fanatical about the history of fine china.

The 'china chat' section is about obscure pottery markings. This is where visitors send in their queries and we can all help with the answers.

Finding Your Pottery Mark

There have been some blinding successes. We have been the first to solve mysteries pottery marks which now help people like eBay sellers on a daily basis.

This website IS NOT A CATALOGED ENCYCLOPEDIA, so don't expect to be able to use it like you would a specialist reference book.

USE THE SEARCH BOX!

It only gives results WITHIN THIS SITE (apart from a few Google ads at the top). Describe your mark in words. Use phrases like 'Crown with letter A'

Don't give up after one search. Use a variety of different phrases.

Why have I made this amazing wiki?

I am interested in the subject, and love to help people by sharing my knowledge.

Below is a couple of recent sculptures I did. They sold out pretty quick. Thanks to this website....

My figurines sculpture examples

You will find more information about my clay sculpture work and collaboration with the famous name prestige UK companies like Coalport, Royal Worcester and Royal Doulton elsewhere in a bit more detail on this website. For now here is a look at the work I did within my own company called 'The Figurine Collective'.

This work is becoming more and more collected as time goes on, as it was the brainchild of myself and fellow sculptor John Bromley. It was all guaranteed to be made in the pottery hubs of Worcester and Staffordshire at a time when the world was globalising and it was somehow okay (not for me) to produce classical 'English' fine bone china in the Far East.

The output of the Figurine Collective was made by the top artisans the UK had at its disposal. It was pristine, and very expensive, made in tiny editions. Frankly, it was the very best. I am being contacted by collectors almost begging for items. However, the doors are closed.

Here are some of my sculpts prior to being decorated:-

What makes fine china beguiling?

Apart from being hard to make, its longevity imparts a sense of heritage.

Things have to stay around long enough to become antique - and people have to like them enough to collect them and pass them on.

Fine china comes into that category, particularly bone china. Figurines sculpture in porcelain have always been collected, and always will be.

That is, despite fashions coming and going.