Ceramic Makers' Marks

Erica Gibson

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN:
  9781598741889
• eBook ISBN:
  9781315432397
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Archaeology
• Index: Social Sciences

Erica Gibson's comprehensive guide provides a much-needed catalogue of ceramic makers' marks of British, French, German, and American origin found in North American archaeological sites. Consisting of nearly 350 marks from 112 different manufacturers from the mid-19th through early 20th century, this catalog provides full information on both the history of the mark and its variants, as well as details about the manufacturer. A set of indexes allow for searches by manufacturer, location, mark elements, and common words used. This guide will be of interest not only to historical archaeologists, but material culture specialists, collectors, museum professionals, students, art historians, and others interested in ceramics.

THE MARKS

Adams, William and Sons (W. Adams, W. Adams & Co., W. Adams and Sons)

Origin: Tunstall and Stoke, Staffordshire

Dates: 1769–present

Wares: Ironstone

Note: The firm used a variety of printed and impressed marks on ironstone-type wares from about 1830 on. “The trading name of the Adams firms changed several times but as the marks do not necessarily reflect these amendments little importance can be given to the name or initials—W. Adams, W. Adams & Co. or W. Adams & Son could be used at much the same period” (Godden 1999:177–178).

Reference: Ormsbee 1959:18; Praetzellis et al. 1983:4–5; Godden 1999:177–178

MARK 1 • Figure 1

Printed: (seated Royal Coat of Arms)/ WILLIAM ADAMS (lower arch, in ribbon)/ IRONSTONE CHINA (lower arch, in ribbon)/ TUNSTALL (lower arch)

Date: mid-19th century–1865

Note: This mark is the same as Mark 14 with the exception of the wording.

Reference: Praetzellis et al. 1983:3, mark 1; Godden 1991:21

MARK 2 • Figure 2

Printed: IRONSTONE CHINA (upper arch)/ (standing Royal Coat of Arms)/ WILLIAM ADAMS./ TUNSTALL.

Date: mid-19th century–1865

Reference: Praetzellis et al. 1983:3; Godden 1991:21–22; Godden 1999:175; Kowalsky and Kowalsky 1999:85–87

MARK 3 • Figure 3

Impressed: ADAMS

Date: ca. 1830–1865

Note: Found with Mark 2.

Reference: Praetzellis et al. 1983:4–5; Godden 1999:177

MARK 4

Impressed: IRONSTONE CHINA/ WILLIAM ADAMS/ TUNSTALL

Date: mid-19th century–1865

Reference: Praetzellis et al. 1983:3, mark 2; Godden 1991:21

MARK 5 • Figure 4

Impressed: ONTARIO SHAPE/ (October 12, 1859, Parcel 4 Registry Diamond)/ ADAMS

Date: October 12, 1859

Note: Patent No. 122959. This pattern was registered to the potter William Adams Jr.

Reference: Dieringer nd:10

MARK 6

Impressed: (May 31, 1858, Parcel 4 Registry Diamond)/ ADAMS

Date: May 31, 1858

Note: Patent No. 113903. Found on vessel with “Huron Shape” molded pattern. Found with Mark 1.

Reference: Praetzellis et al. 1983:3, mark 4; Godden 1991:527; Dieringer nd:10

MARK 7 • Figure 5

Printed: SUPERIOR (in ribbon)/ (eagle with shield body, holding branch and arrows)/ WHITE GRANITE (in ribbon)/ W. ADAMS & SONS. (lower arch)

Date: mid-19th century–1865

Note: This mark is similar to Mark 8.

Reference: Praetzellis et al. 1983:4, mark 5; Kowalsky and Kowalsky 1999:85, mark B19 (cf)

MARK 8 • Figure 6

Printed: IMPERIAL (in ribbon)/ (eagle with shield body, holding branch and arrows)/ FRENCH PORCELAIN (in ribbon)/ ADAMS

Date: mid-19th century–1865

Note: This mark is similar to Mark 7.

Reference: Praetzellis et al. 1983:5, mark 7; Kowalsky and Kowalsky 1999:85, mark B19 (cf)

MARK 9 • Figure 7

Printed: IRONSTONE CHINA (upper arch)/ (standing Royal Coat of Arms)/ ADAMS

Date: 1890–1891

Note: Same as Mark 10 with absence of “Tunstall/England.”

Reference: Praetzellis et al. 1983:5, mark 10 (cf); Godden 1991:21–22; Kowalsky and Kowalsky 1999:87, mark B30 (cf)

MARK 10 • Figure 8

Printed: IRONSTONE CHINA (upper arch)/ (standing Royal Coat of Arms)/ ADAMS/ TUNS[TALL]/ ENG[LAND]

D...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• The Marks
• References
• Indexes
• About the Author