Swinnertons Antique Staffordshire bone china

by Christy
(UK)

Swinnertons Antique Staffordshire bone china :- I received my great grandmother's wedding china from her and am looking for replacements. I believe it is antique and close to 100 years old. I am looking for the name of the pattern and if at all possible anyone knowing where I may find some info.

Thank you,

Christy

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Swinnertons Antique Staffordshire bone china

Hi Christy

Thanks for your great query. Nice clear photos. Lovely provenance to this beautiful tableware collection. You are very lucky to have it and should you want to sell it, you should do well.

Your wares could be antique, but it would have to be very early Swinnertons production, though. If so - very interesting for a Swinnertons collector.

Also, Swinnertons are not particularly known for making bone china. To my knowledge, they mainly made earthenwares.

What is the tests to see if your wares are bone china or not?

You can tell bone china by the the translucency and also the bright whiteness of the body. Porcelain is greyer and earthenware will not pass the following test:-

Hold your china up to a window or a bright light. Put your finger behind it. If bone china you will be able to see your finger very clearly.

Then, take a tea cup from the tea set, flick it on the rim. Bone china has a distinct ringing tone that is much different to either earthenwares, stonewares, or even porcelain for that matter.

Swinnertons of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, was a company which traded in mainly earthenwares from 1906 to 1970. Apart from Swinnertons, their trade names were Hampton, Vitrion, and Royal Wessex.

With regard to identifying patterns, I feel this calls for further expertise in the field. To gain more insights definitely go to my special page on china patterns here:

www.figurines-sculpture.com/china-patterns.html

I explain the various ways of how to nail down your pattern.

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.