Various exciting new porcelain-making techniques were introduced and perfected in the 19th century. The development of bone china, which was made from the same ingredients as hard-paste porcelain with large quantities of animal bone added, meant that less expensive porcelain became widely available.

Practical, relatively inexpensive dinner, dessert and tea services were made in large quantities, many of them embellished with printed decoration, which was also developed at this period.

You can still buy simple transfer-printed flat wares and hollow wares quite inexpensively. Some of the most affordable collectables are those made by the Goss factory from the second half of the 19th century. Their statuettes and ornaments with printed decoration are available for under £50.

Antique Collection

BEWARE

Don’t confuse hand painting, which increases value, with a hand-enamelled print, which is generally less desirable. If it’s hand- enamelled you’ll be able to see the print underneath the enamel.

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PRINTED CHINA

Although hand-painted wares are usually more desirable than those with transfer printed decoration, there are some exceptions. This teapot shows Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – a royal subject always pushes up the price and this would be worth £200-300.

ROCKINGHAM

You may think this is a strange teapot but in fact it’s a violeteer – a pot to hold petals and herbs. The highly elaborate moulded and flower encrusted decoration is typical of this factory. £300-500

SPODE

Spode was one of the first factories to use bone china. You can recognize earlier (pre- 1830) pieces by their mark, which was usually hand painted – later it was printed. Features typical of Spode porcelain are:

  • pattern number in red
  • very thin potting
  • thin smooth white glaze. £1, 000-1, 500

At the other end of the spectrum, important factories such as Rockingham, Spode and Minton made a variety of highly ornamental wares, often using lavish gilding, elaborate high relief floral decorations and new techniques such as pate-sur-pate. Value is usually a matter of decorative appeal. Expect to pay more for hand-painted decoration. Any elaborately decorated piece will usually command a premium.

HOW TO DATE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURY PORCELAIN

  • “Royal” in trademark after 1850
  • “Limited” or “Ltd” after name after 1860
  • “Trade Mark” after c.1870
  • “England” in trademark after 1890
  • “Bone China” 20th century
  • “Made in England” 20th century

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MINTON

One of the innovations introduced by Minton during the 19th century was the technique of pâte-sur-pâte. This involved applying layers of white slip (a mixture of clay and water) to a dark body which was then hand carved to expose the dark ground. The process was a laborious one and pieces were always expensive; this pâte-sur-pâte vase would be worth £2,000-3,000.

COALPORT

French designs of the 18th century became popular again in the 19th century. Coalport was one of the most famous factories to produce porcelain in the style of Sevres. This vase is particularly desirable because of its high quality hand-painted birds. £800+ Coalport is often marked AD 1750. This is the date the company was founded, not the date of production.

PARIAN

Although this elegant figure looks as if it’s carved from marble, it’s actually made from Parian, a type of porcelain. Parian figures became popular in the mid- 19th century; the best were made (and marked) by factories such as Worcester (as this one is), Copeland, Belleek or Wedgwood and are well detailed. Unmarked figures are much less valuable. £600

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19th Century English Porcelain