How to Check Ceramics for Damage, Restoration & Wear (Part 1)
Buying antique pottery and ceramics can be a risky process. It’s all too easy to get home and find that you’ve missed a hairline crack, a restored handle or one of the hundreds of other faults that might
exist.
While there is nothing wrong with choosing to buy ceramics in less than perfect condition, I am sure that you, like I do, prefer to know about it beforehand and make sure the price paid reflects the condition.
Poor saleroom and fair lighting, inaccurate descriptions and even unscrupulous dealers can all combine to make buying safely harder than it should be.
To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’ve put together a guide to checking ceramics – from identity and authenticity through to checking for damage, restoration and wear.
We’ve divided this guide into two parts:
Part 1 – Checking the authenticity and identity of a piece
Part 2 – Inspecting a piece for faults, damage, wear and restoration
1. What is it?
Sounds obvious, but is the piece you are looking at what it’s being sold as?
Check that the shape, pattern and pottery markings are all consistent with each other and with the piece itself. Mis-described and incorrectly marked (when manufactured) pieces aren’t unknown, although
they are uncommon.
Don’t be afraid to dig out a pattern guide or reference book to check a pattern or shape number – no one remembers them all!
Once you are happy with the authenticity of the piece, check it is complete.
Should it have a lid, frog (for flowers), detachable handle (e.g. biscuit barrels) or perhaps an accompanying spoon, knife or box?
It’s a case of caveat emptor, I’m afraid – you need to think about what you’re seeing and ask any questions before you buy. Any reputable dealer should be happy (and able) to explain why something is the way
it is.
2. Have The Years Left Their Mark?
It should always be apparent if a piece has some “age” or not. Even if it is in immaculate condition and has been stored away from bright light, dust and dirt, it should still feel old.
This is a hard one to describe – but if unsure look for small details:
- Do the pottery markings look old?
- Is the base a little worn/dirty where it has stood on different surfaces?
- Is there any crazing?
- Is there any dirt, discolouration or wear? Look in nooks and crannies or where lids, etc. fit on the main body
If you’ve been through each of the checks I’ve descrbed, you should now have a fairly good idea of the identity and authenticity of your piece – and you will probably already have noticed any obvious damage
or restoration to it.
To learn more about how to spot and understand damage, wear and restoration, check out Part 2 of this post by clicking on the link below:
Part 2 – Inspecting a piece for faults, damage, wear and restoration
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Pingback by Perfect Pieces » Blog Archive » How to Check Ceramics for Damage, Restoration & Wear (Part 2) — January 24, 2008 @ 12:06 am
Hello
I have aquired a dragon piece of pottery but unable to to see if it a collectable or an antique (it may be neither) it is two dragons in a cracked egg and the piece itself is very heavy it has a mark of a circle with the letter c inside and engraved in it is 98W.UI. Is it possible that you could help me locate the maker.
Your help would be greatly appreciated
Regards
Ann Cooper
Comment by Ann Cooper — February 3, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
Hi I have a dinnerset with the markings of Senior England numbe 1257 it is my Mother in laws, which has been pssed down to her, it will be over 80 years old is it possible to value?
Comment by s ovenden — May 24, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
Have acquired a pendelfin piece and there is a sticker stating Poppet on the bottom, Can’t find any info as to date on this little guy….we acquired 3 pieces of bunnykins also from this senior and are wanting to give her some value for our purchase however….really have no clue to pay her…Could you and or would you be willing to enlighten me….Marie
Comment by Marie Cunningham, — July 29, 2008 @ 11:35 pm
hello i have a glazed flower bowl it has M.A.L and daly on the under neath it also has something else written on it but i carnt work that out can u help?
Comment by sara — August 18, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Hi, I recently bought a small Jasperware blue bowl with scenes of what look like greyhounds and trees. The markings say ‘Jasper Ware Made In England From 1800′. There is also a letter ‘Y’ stamped in the bottom. Please can you tell me how I can tell if this is a valuable item or if it is a copy?
Many thanks
Avril
Comment by Avril — September 2, 2008 @ 9:22 am
I have inherited a mint sauce jug & saucer from my Grandma – SylvaC number 4683, it is green with no chips/cracks but very slight crazing on the saucer. Is there any way of finding out how much it’s worth? I have 3 young children, and would hate for them to break it – also for insurance purposes.
Thanks
Comment by Melanie — September 16, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
Hi there I was left by my grandmother a Beswick shell shaped vase. It has the number 1186 on the bottom and is all white glazed.
I can’t seem to find out much about it except it was made after 1936 according to the way it says Beswick with a line under it and the word ware under the line and the W of the word WARE going into the line. Under that it says made in England and above the Beswick it is stamped into the base 1186
Please can any one tell when it was made and how much it might be worth
thanks for any help you can provide
Many thanks Peter
Comment by Peter Button — September 29, 2008 @ 11:51 pm
Can anyone tell me a ‘Basic’ site where I can look up an A to Z on English Studio potters, 20th cent & no fees, I’m new to this. Thanks sueg
Comment by Sue Gee — October 14, 2008 @ 6:38 am
See our Identifing Pottery Marks section for a free illustrated guide to the backstamps and marks used by many of the well-known and collectable potteries.
Thanks, Tess
Comment by Tess — October 14, 2008 @ 8:51 am
[...] not check out our How to Check Ceramics for Damage, Restoration & Wear guide to help you on your [...]
Pingback by Inspecting Ceramics - How to check for damage & restoration - Perfect Pieces — November 2, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
I have a Poole owl
about 5 inches tall with
an initial in circle
underneath. It looks like
an S and a B. I would
appreciate any
information.
Comment by Maureen — November 14, 2008 @ 9:48 am
Hi
I have a very old bowl with interesting basic design. I bought this about 15 years ago from a car boot sale. It has no markings whatsoever to indicate where it was made or who made it? Does this mean it is an ‘amateur’ piece?
Comment by Michele — November 21, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
Hello
I have a Macintyre Buslem Pot with a picture of the cricketer Ranjit Singh. The identity mark is either L 519W or L G19W. There are 2 “R” No’s the printed one is
29(?)287 and a written one 319664. The pot is unblemished apart from the gold around the top being a little faded.
Are you able to give me any information and possibly a valuation?
many thanks
Stuart Bishop
Comment by stuart — November 23, 2008 @ 9:50 am
Can anyone tell me about this plate? Signed S F & Co (know this is Fielding, Stoke on Trent) with number of 516771 (0140) with crown print and GLEN underneath.
Comment by sue w — January 6, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
I have a jug inherited from an Aunt who was married in 1924 c. and may well have been a wedding present. It is marked with the heavier stamp on you home page- Crown symbol and CROWN DUCAL WARE ENGLAND. There is a an indentation which I cannot fully read but starts with VICT ?????. There is a brown printed number A1168, a blue capital A and a character which looks like a P or the enclosed hilt of a sword. The jug is approx 21cms tall and almost 18cms from handle to lip (horizontally). The decoration features an exotic bird with long tail feathers alighting on a bush with spiky seedheads and a second small bird flying off towards the rim. On the back is a golden butterfly on a similar branch. The whole shows not sign of damage and seems remarkably clean, unused but regularly dusted! I’d like to know more about it.
Comment by patrick clements — January 22, 2009 @ 11:50 am
Crown Ducal – Sunburst 2649 No 780264 with a 5 on the back
I have been told it is a salad bowl the bowl has holes in for drain and a plate underneath. very pretty piece. cream with hand painted orange and yellow flowers Not sure of the date. It was bought in 1984
Comment by A, B Bernard — February 10, 2009 @ 10:41 am
Beech & Hancock (I think).
My wife recently purchased a fruit bowl with the following mark: -
Picture of a swan, the name LORNE in a scroll and the letters B&H.
It is in immaculate condition and I’m trying to establish its possible age?
Comment by Tony parker — February 19, 2009 @ 8:16 am
I have two wade figurens date early 1930s, one is called jose the other sunshine
perfect condition apart from s bit of colour fadeing are they worth nything
regards carl
Comment by carl manditsch — March 9, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
I have a large, Jug 10ins wide x 8ins aprox,its has green leaf effect flowing from the top, onto a goldish centre, and a torquise bottom, it has the Marks 129/1 made in england on it. there is no makers name.
Comment by Martin — March 27, 2009 @ 9:38 am
i have a kensington vase yellow with brown and red leaf staffordshire knot back stamp with letter b on would like price please
Comment by margaret clarke — March 30, 2009 @ 9:56 am
I have a small tureen 18cm long 12 wide with a green design. K & Co B (i.e. Keeling & Co. Burslem c. 1886-1936). LATE MAYERS. FLORA. Picture of kneeling potter and the letter F. Any idea what date this is, and what is its value, if any?
Comment by Mrs Sawyer — March 30, 2009 @ 11:56 am
My mother has a light green Sylvac jug with the number 1344.It is undamaged and
would like value please?
Comment by Mrs Jolley — April 9, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
hi i have a small vase wich was left in a flat i moved into in the 80s after an elderly lady passed away. its multi coloured green/turquise/purple. not quite sure what it is but the markings underneath are numbers 70719 or that could be 707/9 not quite sure. is there anything u can tell me about this vase and its worth. thank you.
Comment by sharon morgan — April 22, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
Hello. My son has a vase that is very similar to troika. It , however – doesnt have the troika mark – but has 2 other marks. On the right are 3 circles , inside a square. The smaller mark is difficult to see , but looks like B on its side..We would very much like to know the maker of this vase. Many thanks..
Comment by Tulie Richardson — April 27, 2009 @ 9:05 pm
I have a Radford vase yellowish in color with flowers that are purple and pink,about 12 inches tall,also has the radford stamp and initial markings,in perfect conditon…trying to find out it’s worth of value.
Comment by Dawne McGuire — April 29, 2009 @ 5:47 pm
have vase with markings 15 poole england AW looks like delphis vase can u give me any more info ta
Comment by caroline davies — May 1, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
i have been left a royal worcester piece of a little girl with a lamb,on the bottom it says 3416 april. can you give any information on this. thank you a barker
Comment by annette barker — May 18, 2009 @ 9:50 am
Hi I found a ceramic bowl about 8″ in dia. with an owl painted inside dated 1948, artist may be spelled Mang, title called “Apache Mission” with a # 85643. I have not been able to identify who the artist is and where it came from. Being as old as the date says it is, I was surprised to find it in a yard sale. I have taken photo,s of the piece. Can send a pic if anyone would like to see it. I don,t know where to go to look up something like this, so if anyone knows of a site , please let me know.
Thanks in advance, any insight would be appreciated.
Mike P.
Comment by michael podkanowicz — May 18, 2009 @ 2:31 pm
hi, I have a pottery musical tankard which plays Auld Lang Syne which you wind up from underneath the bottom, it also has the words to Auld Lang Syne are on the back of the tankard underneath two hands shaking together, on the front it shows a setting of inside an Inn with table and fire place, there’s an Inn Keeper and a Customer sitting down at a table, being served beers by a Serving Maid. The handle of the tankard is decorated with greenery purple/lilac scottish thistle. It is marked CROWN DEVON, FIELDINGS, MADE IN ENGLAND RoNo804873 with an black ink marking what looks like a FIG 3 but this is on an angle not straight. I’m not sure if its value or if it is worth anything. It is old and has been in the family well before the 1930 as it belonged to my grandmother. Can anyone advise?
Comment by Sue Johnson — May 19, 2009 @ 4:04 pm
Does anyone know about pottery made by JAMES KENT LTD ENGLAND? I have 2 x 2 tier leaves (brown/yellow/orange) designed cake stands stamped with OLD FOLEY JAMES KENT LTD ENGLAND. Any information would be of help.
Comment by Sue Johnson — May 19, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
I have a Poole Pottery bowl. Backstamp in pale bluecircled round dolphin. figure 88 underneath and a small blue curved cross. The outside of the bowl is ridged. with gold or browncoloured paint dripping down, in the middle a large flowerlike pattern in dark blues and orange infill with red surround. As I cannot find it on site can anyone tell me a bit more about it please.
Comment by yvonne phipp — May 22, 2009 @ 4:04 pm
i have just bought a small statue of which is a smaller version of mariken van nieumeghen, i dont know the history of this small statue or if it is even authentic, on the base there is a mark of 3 V’s in a triangle formation and also a name “vera van” i have tried to do a search but have found nothing.. cheers in advance
Comment by richard — May 30, 2009 @ 8:06 am
I have a porcelain peice marked Wade Britain – this is an imprint into the pottery on the bottom. It is also has ink markings reading Wade England ‘19B. It is a black bowl filled with yellow, blue and crimson flowers and green leaves. Would this be an authentic peice of old Wade?? It was a peice of my grandmothers I think. Many Thanks. I look forward to hearing from you.
Comment by Annella Bolton — June 8, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
Hi
I have a pale green pottery squirrel hight approx 10″ made in England clearly marked on the base the makers stamp is torn and I cannot see it , but the condition is perfect. The number on the base is 1145.
I would be pleased to find out the value of the piece.
Regards
Ellen Linton
Comment by Ellen Linton — June 14, 2009 @ 1:04 am
Hi, Love this site. I’ve just aquired a tea set. The saucers are pale green with a gold rim and are stamped W H Grindley & Co Ltd on the underneath. The china cups have F R Gray & Sons Ltd, China Specialists, Aldridge, Staffs. The picture on each is of fox hunters and the cup has a gold rim.
I can’t find the potteries anywhere. Can you tell me their origin please, if possible.
Thanks, Chris
Comment by Miss C McLeod — June 15, 2009 @ 12:14 am
i have a dish with theroyal doulton lamberth mark
furness bermuda line witha mark 1235 and stamped in green regd no777531
can somebody help
Comment by stephen cockroft — June 20, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
I have a small dish made to look like a flower. Green with ring of orange stamens and brownish centre.
Marked “Sylvac 1955 =A Made in England”. Very good condition.
What is this likely to be worth?
Comment by Sonia Turner — June 24, 2009 @ 4:50 am
I have a black porcelain teapot painted with pink flowers and a small green painted mark on the bottom. Any ideas of maker and age would be appreciated.
Comment by Mararet Siswick — July 14, 2009 @ 7:16 pm
I have a small pottery dog with big ear’s.I have had him for at least 40 years. underneath it has markings BOURNE DENBY.ENGLAND also i think it has Sandy ware it could say something else instead of sandy can you help.
Comment by Avril Warham — July 15, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
I have a large piece of Poole pottery which I have indentified as being 1959-1967 but would be interested to know of pattern and possibly artist. mark looks like CS S on the bottom.
Comment by Joy — July 15, 2009 @ 7:33 pm
I have a Burleigh parrot jug. It appears to be unfinished and a crack which could have been caused in the firing. The jug is yellow with a blue parrot handle. The reference number is exact and clear – 4910? Any ideas? Many thanks, J. McI.
Comment by Julie McIntyre — July 15, 2009 @ 8:10 pm
about 25 years ago we purchased a teapot-jug-sugarbowl. all white in a fluted style. the base just has carlton ware in black. i think it,s a forgery as i can,t see the same marks of carlton ware on this site. any clues please.
Comment by alan smith — July 26, 2009 @ 3:00 am
i have been left a royal worcester piece of a little girl with a lamb.on the bottom it says 3416 april, can you give me any information on this item thank you . A BARKER
Comment by annette barker — July 26, 2009 @ 8:13 am
hello,
i have a devonware sf &co which is either abutter dish or cheese dish, it has two air holes in the lid, and the base is stamped leo p w,
inside the top it is stamped with a very old crown and a number which i cannot read.
it is cream in colour with gold trim and handle. it looks very old.
any clues please.
Comment by shirley giddings — August 17, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
I have a Minton Plate dated 1906, please could you tell me where I would research the patten.
Also on the underside is impressed WS, what should this tell me. Thank you
Comment by John Bray — September 2, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
Greetings from Maine…
I have a pair of figurines, a boy with a rabbit and a girl with a goose, both
seated. They are white porcelain with hats, scarf, apron, bodice and shoes.
There are also gold highlights; trim on bodice, goose’s beak, buttons and
carrot in boy’s hand.
They are both marked with a serifed, outlined, “A” under a stylized crown
(essentially an arc with five ‘lollipops’ rising above it. Both are about 7.5
inches tall. There is a 3/8″ blue border encircling their pedestals. They are in
perfect condition, save for 25+ years of cooking and smoking pollution, from
sitting in my open bookcase. A soft toothbrush and mild dish detergent
cleaned the girl very nicely.
These pieces were given to me by my mother, who told me they were from
Italy, but they were probably a thrift shop find (a favorite pastime of hers). I’ve
spent an entire Sunday online looking for the mark or similar figurals — with no
results. Can you help me identify these pieces, and give me some idea of their
value? Any information would be appreciated.
Thank you very much,
Rich Meyer
Corinna, Maine
Comment by Rich Meyer — September 6, 2009 @ 6:23 pm
I have 3 pitchers in a maroon background with strawberry pattern. They a quite beautiful. Do you know of this type. I am pretty sure they are from England
Comment by Barbara Whitman — September 10, 2009 @ 5:58 pm
i have a brown tankard (pottery) it has a horse head on the front on the underneath it is marked(2343)SYLVAC a back to front S and MADE IN ENGLAND.WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ITS VALUE PLEASE.
Comment by V SAMMONDS — September 16, 2009 @ 8:05 pm
I have a green dish approx 10″ x 6″ [shell shaped] that is print stamped on the back [OF ETRURIA, WEDGEWOOD & BARLASTON, MADE IN ENGLAND].
It is also idifentified with the indented marks
T
WEDGEWOOD
9L54p
GG 4
What age is it and is it of any value……thanks.
Comment by W Scarlett — September 23, 2009 @ 2:35 pm
i have a tea set or it could be a coffee set not sure its marked on the bottom as follows,
teapot has crown devon fieldings england a 145 b,there are 4 tiny cups and saucers marked same but
a165 and sugar bowl again devon fieldings england a163,they are a cream colour with yellow flowers green leaves and a bit of black around the top of teapot cups ect; can anyone explain the markings
on the bottom ie, a165, to me and how i could find a vaule for this set.
Comment by denise baker — September 24, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
Hi, I’m responding to Peter Button’s comment posted in September 2008.
I have the exact same shell-shaped vase given to me by my mother about 40-odd years ago. Although I will not sell it, I would also like to know more about it & the value, so if you have found out anything at all, I’d love to hear all about it…
Thanks,
Di
Comment by Diane Behr de Rosnay — October 3, 2009 @ 9:15 am
Hi again, I also have a white urn vase, 61/2 inches tall, with markings underneath – “Made in England” & what appears to be the word “URN”.I cannot make out what is stamped before the word “urn”, therefore I suppose it would be difficult to put a value on it. Any ideas who the maker could be & value?
Thanks,
Diane
Comment by Diane Behr de Rosnay — October 3, 2009 @ 9:52 am
hi i have a badly glazed earhenware pot that has markings on the bottom which are three lines.i have seen the markings somewhere before but can not find out any information about it.please could anyone enlighten me,thankyou.
Comment by trish long — October 3, 2009 @ 10:32 am
one bowl (pedestal) crown ford 9310 marking black with floral rim.19cm dia. 9 cm height
one crown ducal bowl AF A J 1142 markings. black outer glazing 25 cm dia. 6 cm height lotus flower design on inturned rim colours of blue, red and yellow. internal colour is blue. Would appreciate any comment on these two items.
Comment by anita adams — October 13, 2009 @ 9:39 am
I have 5 very old blue & white Willow Pattern dinner plates with “Japan” written in blue on the back of each. Would appreciate any info regarding these plates & possible value. Many thanks, Diane
Comment by Diane Behr de Rosnay — October 13, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
hi i have a nearly full dinner set in a pale green colour which has the poole england stamp (1959 to early 60s on it and i was wondering how much it would feach there are about maybe 5 pieces missing
Comment by Ishtar Scott — November 3, 2009 @ 7:53 am
I have a biscuit jar, Crown Devon, Stoke on Trent, England. The Number on it is 763, is this a pattern number? If so, where can I find patterns to match code. This jar is lidded with a finial and inside the lid is stamped E.P.N.S. The design is purple and ivory flowers. Any info appreciated. Thanks,
Comment by Marlene Hennessee — November 27, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
hi i have a bowel by michael cardew could you let me know if it is worth anything. john
Comment by john saint — December 4, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
Hi I have a very old set of dishes. I think it is year 1925
Crown Ducal ware England U.S.A. Pat. 72944 Reg. No. 732597
I have many pieces inthe set of 8 plus serving dishes and they are a numbered set.
no cracks or stainsd very good condition. Any idea what they could be worth?
I could send pictures
Comment by Penny — January 11, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
I have a large dish marked royal Doulton Flambe. It is not the usual flambe colouring .It is black and gold with purple flowers. Any ideas?
Comment by Shelagh — February 10, 2010 @ 12:03 pm
Further to the above the mark on the bottom indicates it is about before 1922
Comment by Shelagh — February 10, 2010 @ 12:05 pm
I have an old tea set with 12 cups/saucers, 12 small plates and 2 cake/sandwich larger plates, a sugar bowl and a milk jug. It is plain white and hand painted navy blue with gold gilt around the edges. It was left to me by my great Aunt and apparantely the tea set was her mothers. The pottery mark is a crown with a square set on one of its corner (rather like a kite) with the initial P B L Co anticlockwise. It has “England” written underneath. I have looked at the mark for Plant Bros in Staffordshire but the mark on my tea set is not set in a staffordshire knot and the crown is not winged. So I wonder whether you can give me any idea which pottery produced my tea set?
Comment by Faye Allen — February 22, 2010 @ 6:29 pm
I havea a Fadsfodrs Bone China Fenton made in England teacup with the number 8553/52 on it how do find out if this teacup is worth any money?
Comment by LaToya Horner — February 26, 2010 @ 8:15 pm
Does anyone have any information on Flesh Pots heads/ busts of ” Bing Crosby”. It is a large characature head model of the film star. I believe that it was a design by James Kent and made at his Foley factory in Stoke on Trent. This is as far as I have got. Any help will be gratefully received.
Comment by Francis Sweeney — February 28, 2010 @ 10:24 pm
i have a small pottery figure of a Hippo playing a french horn. Signed by S Bartley. Does anyone know of this name or make. I think its quite old but i cant find anything about it. Its painted glazed and fired. Any ideas ??
Comment by Russell Harrison — March 11, 2010 @ 6:29 pm