Church Works and Broad Street Works
'Prussian' Table Shape
The 'Prussian' shape appears to have been introduced by William Ridgway at his Church and Cobden Works partnership, and then passed the moulds to the Broad Street Works. Distinguishing between the products of the two firms is thankfully not too difficult. From pattern 371 all Broad Street numbers have a 3/ prefix. The stoneware bodies were restricted to the Broad Street Works.
William Ridgway, Son, & Co.
E. J. Ridgway & Abington
Ridgway, Morley, Wear, & Co.
Ridgway & Morley
Francis Morley & Co.
Pattern 3/1090 'Hicks Rock & Bird'
Pattern 3/1154 'Chinese Birds'
G. L. Ashworth & Bros. Ltd.
Church Works and Cobden Works Patterns
"Humphrey's Clock"
The name refers to Master Humphrey's Clock, an illustrated magazine written and edited by Charles Dickens. Dickens planned initially to use the magazine for short stories, but it ended up as the vehicle for the issue of two novels by instalment, The Old Curiosity Shop and Barnaby Rudge. The views on the Ridgway prints come from The Old Curiosity Shop.
The prints were reissued by the later Bedford Works firm. See here and here.
The sauce tureen and stand is 170mm in overall height and 214mm across the stand handles. Earthenware. The lid has been broken and rivetted.
The impressed marks read: "OPAQUE / GRANITE / CHINA / W. R. & Co".
The shell or leaf dish is 216mm long, 136mm wide, and 34mm tall. Earthenware.
The impressed marks read: "OPAQUE / GRANITE / CHINA / W. R. & Co".
The pie dish is 291mm long, 226mm wide, and 53mm deep. Earthenware.
This is 'Albion' shape rather than 'Prussian', but it was common practice with potters to use older shapes for less commonly required items in order to make up a service.
The print shows Little Nell and her grandfather being given a lift on a canal boat whilst the crew enjoy some liquid refreshment. Although it is not named in the story, the Warwick & Birmingham Canal is thought to be the waterway intended.
The impressed mark reads: "OPAQUE / GRANITE / CHINA / W. R. & Co".
Photos © Angela Grant 2019
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"Whampoa" flow blue
The dinner plate is 267mm in diameter. Earthenware.
The impressed mark reads: "OPAQUE / GRANITE / CHINA / W. R. & Co".
This mark was used by both William Ridgway & Co. and William Ridgway, Son, & Co.
Photos © Jackie Casey 2021
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Urn & Temples
I will admit to some doubts about this particular piece. The slightly 'soapy' nature of the print, and the impressed "IMPROVED / STONE" mark, incline me to think that this might be a reissue, probably by E. J. Ridgway & Abington.
The soup plate is 264mm in diameter. Earthenware.
The impressed mark reads: "IMPROVED / STONE".
Photos © Angela Grant 2019
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Pattern 1161
I have some doubts in placing this centre piece on this page since I have only this piece and no plates to confirm the shape. It does, however, match the small sauce tureen above, though the handles are different. So it probably is an early example of 'Prussian' shape, but until some plates, or another centre piece with associated plates, turn up it is difficult to be totally sure.
The centre piece is 160mm high, 304mm across handles, 251mm bowl diameter.
The impressed mark reads: "OPAQUE / GRANITE / CHINA / W. R. & Co".
Photos © Angela Grant 2019
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Pattern 2264 "Hong Kong"
The two dinner plates that follow were purchased together, but they are clearly not of the same date. The first is probably original to the service as it is worn on the highlights, and bears the printed mark of William Ridgway, Son, & Co. The second is probably a later replacement, as it shows little wear, there is no maker's mark, and it has the impressed "IMPROVED / STONE" mark that I am inclined to associate with E. J. Ridgway & Abington.
The dinner plate is 266mm in diameter. Earthenware.
The impressed mark reads: "OPAQUE / GRANITE / CHINA / W. R. & Co".
The dinner plate is 265mm in diameter. Earthenware.
The impressed mark reads: "IMPROVED / STONE".
Photos © Angela Grant 2019
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Pattern 2336 "Whampoa"
The dinner plate is 267mm in diameter. Earthenware.
Though the pattern number indicates that the pattern was introduced under William Ridgway, Son, & Co., the impressed mark "IMPROVED / STONE" is one that I am inclined to associate more with E. J. Ridgway & Abington.
"Whampoa" was a print that was associated with several manufacturers.
Photos © Jackie Casey 2021
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Pattern 2455
The dinner plate is 265mm in diameter. Earthenware.
There is some wear on the centre gilding.
T. Pearce & Son were London retailers in the 1850s.
Nicholas Panes informs me they are listed in the 1856 Post Office Directory as 'lamp & lustre mnfrs'. They are not listed in 1851, but the British Newspaper archive has references in 1853 and 1859 relating to the sale of Dinner Services.
These dates place the date of manufacture of the plate well within the E. J. Ridgway & Abington period, despite the pattern number originating in the William Ridgway, Son & Co. period.
Photos © Michail Kerameus 2020
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Pattern 2617 'Japanica'
The soup plate is 260mm in diameter and 45mm tall. Earthenware.
The arms of the City of Cork were not granted until 1949 but were taken from an old city seal. They may be rendered as: 'Or, on waves of the sea a ship of three masts in full sail proper between two towers gules upon rocks also proper each tower surmounted by a flag argent charged with a saltire of the third with the motto STATIO BENE FIDA CARINIS.' The rocks and flags are missing from this rendering. The motto can be translated as 'A trustworthy harbour for ships.' (heraldry-wiki.com)
Silex appears to be a form of powdered silicate.
Photos © Jackie Casey 2021
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Pattern 2658 'Japanica'
The meat dish is 533mm long and 432mm wide. Earthenware.
Photos © Jean Ann Reynolds Jones 2021
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Pattern 4318 "Noma"
For other wares with the same print see the 'Noma' print page.
The dinner plate is 263mm in diameter. Earthenware.
G. B. Sander & Co. was a London retailer.
Photos © Angela Grant 2019
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Broad Street Works Patterns
All entries from the factory pattern description books are reproduced courtesy of The V&A/Wedgwood Collection.
"Ermine Border" brown
The shell or leaf dish. Earthenware.
Photos © Moorabool Antiques, Australia 2023
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'Chusan' flow blue
The meat dish is 486mm long and 356mm wide. Earthenware.
The retailer's mark reads "RIDGWAY & MORLEY'S / IMPROVED GRANITE CHINA / MANUFACTURED / for and / IMPORTED BY /TYNDALE'S / PHILADELPHIA / No. 219 Chesnut Street / above 7th".
Photos © Judith Kay Boles 2022
The dinner plate is 268mm in diameter. Earthenware.
The printing plate was originally designed for 'Clarendon' shape tableware, but the flow blue version was on 'Prussian' shape so there is a distinct mismatch of the print edge and the plate edge.
The words "IRONSTONE CHINA / CHUSAN" normally appear below the Royal Arms, but as this is on earthenware body rather than ironstone, the words have been cut off the transfer before application.
Photos © Carla Larson 2022
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"Nice" green
The dinner plate is 267mm in diameter. Earthenware.
Photos © Bonnie Jean Seiwell ~ Lady in Decadence 2020
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"Pheasant"
This pattern is a reissue of the early Hicks & Meigh No. 2 pattern, but in flow blue on 'Prussian' shape (4 lobes), instead of 'Hicks No.2' shape (8 lobes).
The soup plate is 268mm in diameter. Ironstone.
Photos © Angela Grant 2019
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"Aurora"
There is an element of doubt whether this print was introduced under Ridgway & Morley, or under Francis Morley & Co. The first coloured-in example in the pattern description book is pattern 3/1119, but Francis Morley patterns only start at 3/1116, and there are "Aurora" Nos. 1-7 in the named and numbered series that were presumably issued before any examples in the pattern description book. Until, however, there is something definitive to indicate the earlier partnership, I have taken it to be a Francis Morley print.
For other wares with the same print see the "Aurora" page.
The dinner plate is 267mm in diameter. Earthenware.
Photos © Angela Grant 2019
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"Fruit Basket"
For other wares with the same print see the "Fruit Basket" page.
The dessert plate or twiffler is 235mm in diameter. Earthenware.
The "M" is probably a tally mark.
Photos © Des Mills 2020
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"Shannon"
The dinner plate is 270mm in diameter. Earthenware.
Photos © Leonidas Panousakis 2020
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"Aurora" 'No. 3'
For other wares with the same print see the "Aurora" page.
In the Francis Morley & Co. 'Description Book for 1850' 'Aurora' is listed as having 7 variants in the named and numbered series. For No.3:
'Aurora No.3 Printed in purple painted exactly as No.2'
No.2 is painted in 'blue, green & buff'.
The 8 inch muffin is 203mm in diameter. Earthenware.
There are tally marks but no pattern number.
Photos © Bonnie Jean Seiwell ~ Lady in Decadence 2020
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"California" 'No. 3'
In the Francis Morley 'Description Book for 1850' it states that 'California No. 3' is 'printed in purple, painted M[att] blue, light green & buff'.
The dessert plate is 213mm in diameter. Earthenware.
Photos © Bonnie Jean Seiwell ~ Lady in Decadence 2021
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"California No. 6"
In the Francis Morley 'Description Book for 1850' it states that 'California No. 6' is 'printed in dove' and painted in 'pink Matt blue & buff'.
The dinner plate is 264mm in diameter. Earthenware.
Note the "6" beneath the backstamp.
Photos © Bonnie Jean Seiwell ~ Lady in Decadence 2020
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Pattern 3/1090 'Hicks Rock & Bird'
The factory pattern description book entry for 3/1090 reads:
'Table: Pruss[ia]n Sh[ape] E[arthen]w[are]. Print: flowing blue. On biscuit: regular blue. Edge: brown. Old bird as 125, regular blue'd, enamell'd various colours, finish'd in O[paque] Orange.'
The full entry for Pattern 125 reads:
'Table Bedford BS. Toilet[?]. Printed in P[urple] Brown. Blue on biscuit. Lustre Edge. Hicks Rock & Bird Dk Blue Enameld in Red & opaque orange. No gold.'
'Old Bird' is the later name for 'Hicks Rock & Bird'.
For other wares with the same print see the 'Hicks Rock & Bird' page.
The meat dish is 254mm long and 203mm wide. Earthenware.
Photos © Jackie Casey 2022
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Pattern 3/1130 "Chusan"
The Pattern Description Book entry reads:
'Table: Pruss[ia]n e[arthen]w[are], Im[peria]l Sh[ape Covered pieces]. Print in Mulberry. Nothing on biscuit. Brown edge. Chusan printed in Mulberry & flown - enamell[e]d various colours brown edge.'
The soup plate is 265mm in diameter and 45mm tall. Ironstone.
This appears to be an early Francis Morley example. Despite this the backstamp indicates the body is ironstone and not earthenware.
The soup plate is 265mm in diameter and 45mm tall. Ironstone.
The date code indicates this is probably a replacement made by G. L. Ashworth & Bros. Ltd. and is included here as a comparison with the original, and is also ironstone. The blank does not show the four-lobed shape normally associated with the 'Prussian' shape, it does not have the printed sprigs under the rim, and the print shows clear signs of wear to the copper plate.
Photos © Chris Holland 2023
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Pattern 3/1136 "Persiana"
The pattern description book entry for 3/1136 reads:
'Table Prussn Sh EW. Dessert Clarn ew. Toilet Franklin ew. Mulberry print, dk blue on biscuit. Persiana printed in Mulberry dark blue'd & flown - enamell'd in various colours, bead at edge fawn'd, gilt as 1105 & Scour'd - gold line at edge burnish'd.'
"Persiana" is a Ridgway & Morley print.
The dessert plate or twiffler is 232mm in diameter. Earthenware. Some wear on gilding.
Photos © Angela Grant 2019
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Pattern 3/1145 'Chinese Birds'
The Pattern Description Book entry reads:
'Table Pruss[ia]n W[hite] Stone. Dessert Clar[endo]n W[hite] S[tone]. Mulberry print. Nothing on biscuit. Brown edge. As 3/1126 but front &c printed in Mulberry, enamell'd various colours, gilt on rocks & leaves, and bead at edge, leaves &c scoured, bead burnished. India Cov[ere]d Jars have a gold edge on cover handles fawn & gold burnished.'
Pattern 3/1126 is the same but printed in flow blue.
The circular strainer is 178mm in diameter. The strainer may have fitted a circular centrepiece or possibly a covered vegetable dish. It cannot be for a meat dish since they were rectangular.
This pseudo-Chinese seal mark seems only to have been used with this print.
Photos © Debbie Doughty 2024
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Pattern 3/1199 "Aurora"
The Pattern Description Book entry reads:
'Table Prussn EW. Printed in Mulberry, nothing on Biscuit, white Edge. Aurora printed in Mulberry & flown, enamell'd various colours. O orange line at edge.'
For other wares with the same print see the "Aurora" page.
The soup plate is 266mm in diameter. Earthenware.
Photos © Angela Grant 2019
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Pattern 3/1365 'Steam'
The entry in the Pattern Description Book for Pattern 3/1365 reads:
'Table Prussn Sh, Impl Covd ps. Dessert Clarn Ew. Printed in Mulberry, nothing on biscuit, brown edge. As 790 but Ew & Prussn Sh flat printed in Mulberry & flown. enamelld exactly the Same.'
This print does not appear to have had an official name when launched, but was referred to as 'Steam' in the factory engraving department. Exactly how it got this name I am not clear.
For other wares with the same print see the 'Steam' print page.
The dinner plate is 267mm in diameter. Earthenware.
Photos © Angela Grant 2019
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Pattern 3/1551 'Pheasant'
The entry in the Pattern Description Book for Pattern 3/1551 reads:
'Table: Pruss[ia]n E[arthen]w[are]. Print: Mulberry. Blued: D[ark] blue. Pheasant Patt[er]n in Mulberry D Blued & flown ena[mel]ld Colours gilt & burnishd O[paque] Or[an]ge line at edge.'
This is included here despite the blank not showing the four-lobed shape normally associated with the 'Prussian' shape, and the body being ironstone and not earthenware, because of the description book listing. This is probably a late Francis Morley or Morley & Ashworth reissue where they have not stuck rigidly to the book.
The 5 inch muffin is 120mm in diameter. Ironstone.
Photos © Shari Heinz 2023
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Pattern 3/1698 "California"
The entry in the Pattern Description Book for Pattern 3/1698 reads:
'Table: Pruss[ia]n E[arthen]w[are] Pruss[ia]n Cov[ere]d p[ie]c[e]s. Toilet: Club Sh[ape] E[arthen]w[are]. Print: Mulberry. Biscuit: white. Edge: brown. California print[e]d in Mul[berr]y & flown, ena[me]l[le]d in various Colours with brown edge.'
The dinner plate is 260mm in diameter. Earthenware.
Photos © Chris Holland 2023
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Pattern 3/1908 'Chinese Jar'
The dinner plate is 260mm in diameter. Earthenware.
Photos © Chris Holland 2023
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Pattern 3797 'Chinese Jar'
The soup plate is 260mm in diameter and 43mm tall.
Photos © Chris Holland 2023
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Pattern C/1112
The sauce tureen stand is 207mm long and 183mm wide. Earthenware.
Photos © Chris Holland 2023
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