Paragon China

Paragon China began as the Star China Co. (1899-1919), owned by Herbert James Aynsley, his brother John Gerard Aynsley and William Illingworth. The name Paragon was adopted as a trade mark in around 1900. They began production in Longton at the St. Gregory’s Works. Later the company formally became known as Paragon China Ltd. in 1919. The name was selected deliberately in reference to excellence and quality of product. Herbert Aynsley retired in 1927 and ownership of the business passed to Hugh Irving and his sons Leslie and Guy.
The company manufactured bone china wares between WWI and WWII and established a reputation for producing high quality tea and table wares. Nursery and toy wares were also a specialty having been part of the Star China product line since 1904. In the early 1920s new forms of decoration were used including gold printed patterns.
In the early 1930s the company introduced a new conical shape with stepped ribs (Duchess shape) in the art deco style. The company continued to produce during the second World War. By 1946 they had increased their range of products to include ashtrays, animal figures, nursery ware, egg cups and breakfast sets.
The Paragon company was fortunate enough to receive continued royal patronage, initially from the Duchess of York in 1926, then Queen Mary in 1933, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1938, and Queen Elizabeth in 1953.

Around 1960 the company was taken over by Thomas C. Wild and Sons Ltd. From Royal Albert, but continued to use the name Paragon Pottery. In 1972, Royal Albert and Paragon became part of the Royal Doulton Group. Under its own name, Paragon continued to produce with elaborate floral designs. By the end of the 1980’s, the company was incorporated within Royal Doulton and the name Paragon was discontinued.

There were many backstamps from 1899 to 1963. For more detailed backstamps please visit the Pargon International Collectors Club.

http://www.paragoncollector.org.uk/

To see more mictures from my store click:

http://www.bluehawthorne.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/33/products_id/80 Paragon

J.H. Weatherby & Sons(Ltd)

The J.H. Weatherby & Sons(Ltd), a family-run company was founded in Tunstall in 1891 and moved to Hanley the following year. Named 'Falcon Pottery', it was the base for their manufacturing and trading of earthenware, and was one of a number of similar potteries in Stoke on-Trent.

1906 saw the addition of a circular bottle kiln, typical of the time but becoming rather rare now.

It first made domestic ware such as printed toilet sets, trinket sets, vases, teapots, tableware and tableware fancies, jugs, fern pots and lidded chamber pots. Soon after World War I, Weatherby began to supply advertising ware to
hotels and caterers and later to hospitals and institutions. In the 1920s and 1930s it experimented with modernist matt glazes and introduced Art Deco-style vases, tableware and fancies.

In 1934 it launched Woodpecker Ware tableware, which is highly sought after today, as it its Harvest Time tableware. After World War II the pottery introduced many new lines in giftware and fancies which are now collectable.
These include figures and statuettes, toyware, animal models such as Zookies, dwarfs, Toby jugs and offbeat series such as Gonks and Dalek patterns.

During the 1950s, a number of companies began manufacturing ranges of animals, hoping that people would go on to collect several in a set. Wade introduced their exceedingly popular Whimsies - delicate, realistically-modeled porcelain miniature animals and birds - and a company called J. H. Weatherby & Sons Ltd. in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, decided to do the complete opposite, producing a series of sturdy comical animals which they called Zookies. An advertising leaflet from 1957 read, ` People who buy one, buy another and another and buy them for their friends too!'

Unfortunately the high costs of producing pottery in England compared to mass production elsewhere in the world forced the company into receivership.

For more information of the Weatherby Pottery in England,
please visit:
The Potteries.org

Here are the backstamps from JH Weatheryby & Sons(Ltd)

Marks from: http://www.thepotteries.org/mark/w/weatherby.html

Please see some of my J.H. Weatherby for sale at BlueHawthorne Antiques and Collectables.

John Aynsley Information

Aynsley china, one of the oldest names in the pottery industry, was founded in 1775 by Master Potter John Aynsley. Many of the designs dating back to the last century are deeply acid-etched on the rims, with medallions highlighted in raised gold. Aynsley has been honoured to supply specially commissioned bone china to Royalty, governments and companies all over the world. Queen Victoria, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll and his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, have all chosen Aynsley fine bone china for their homes.

For a biography of John Aynsley, please see:

http://www.thepotteries.org/biographies/aynsley_john.htm

Backstamps for Aynsley

After 1891 the name'ENGLAND' was added. Some marks carry the wording 'est. 1775'

1875	1885-90	1891-1904

1905/1910	1925	1934

Aynsley's Portland Works in Sutherland Road, Longton. Photograph taken by Mr.Elliott, February 1975

Link to the Pottery Museum Art Gallery for Stoke on Kent

There are hundreds of exquisite patterns to choose from. I'm sure you'll enjoy any addition to your collection of Aynsley bone china.

Check out our website for pricing
of some of our Aynsley products

at BlueHawthorne.com