Cookworthy's and Champion's Porcelain Marks

Cookworthy's and Champion's Porcelain Marks

Less than half of the items made during the Cookworthy period are marked. Figures from either period are usually unmarked. The majority of pieces made during the Champion period are marked, with the exception of most transfer printed wares and most special services.



This mark looks like a 2 and 4 combined and was used during the Cookworthy period. It is the chemical sign for tin and also the astrological sign for Jupiter. It can be in under-glaze blue, over-glaze enamel (often red) and in gold. Very rarely it appears together with the X mark. Both Owen and MacKenna were of the opinion that the addition of the X means that it was made in Bristol.

The mark associated with the figure modeler "Tebo".



The X mark was used at Bristol, mainly during the Champion period. It can be in under-glaze blue, over-glaze enamel, gold, or sometimes incised. There may be a number present, or very rarely the funny looking b. A number, if present, should be in the range 1 to 26. 1 is by far the most common number, and some others are very rare. It is thought that these are the numbers of the decorators. I have noticed different forms of 1, suggesting that they are not all by the same hand. The popularity of X 1 may have something to do with the fact that it also appears on some Meissen pieces. Some Bristol pieces have numbers, without any other mark.



The B mark was also only used at Bristol. It may be followed by a number, usually in the range 1 to 8 (I have found a B 21). It has been suggested that the B mark was only used during the last three years of the factory. The mark XB has also been recorded, but it is rare.



A copy of the Meissen crossed swords mark from the dot period (usually larger than a genuine Meissen mark). The dot may be omitted. It only applies to the Champion period. The mark is normally in under-glaze blue. A decorator's number may also be present. Sometimes the mark has been cancelled, this may have been for legal reasons. It can also be present with either an X or a B. They may be either separate marks, or one on top of the other. In the latter case the X or B is usually on top, very rarely the crossed swords is on top.

s and fakes

The inclusion of a small S in the decoration indicates a copy made by Sampson of Paris. These pieces will usually be of superior quality to the the originals! There are also fakes produced by other Paris makers, particularly of Cookworthy items, which may have correct marks (the marks are often too large). These are fairly obvious, due to superior potting and a more extensive color palette. They may also have the wrong shape.

An X mark followed by a year (e.g. X 1776) should be treated with suspicion, as these are probably bone china copies produced for the Bristol firm S J Kepple early in the 20th century. Kepple's were retailers, and sometimes wholesalers, at various addresses, between 1851 and 1915. It is possible that these reproductions were made by Coalport who did supply bone china bearing Kepple's name.

Mintons made reproductions of Bristol wares, c1860, and these include X marks. They are very accurate copies, however they are made with a bone China body and may have dull looking gilding.

Cookworthy's and Champion's Porcelain Marks
Less than half of the items made during the Cookworthy period are marked. Figures from either period are usually unmarked. The majority of pieces made during the Champion period are marked, with the exception of most transfer printed wares and most special services.
	This mark looks like a 2 and 4 combined and was used during the Cookworthy period. It is the chemical sign for tin and also the astrological sign for Jupiter. It can be in under-glaze blue, over-glaze enamel (often red) and in gold. Very rarely it appears together with the X mark. Both Owen and MacKenna were of the opinion that the addition of the X means that it was made in Bristol.
	The mark associated with the figure modeler "Tebo".
	The X mark was used at Bristol, mainly during the Champion period. It can be in under-glaze blue, over-glaze enamel, gold, or sometimes incised. There may be a number present, or very rarely the funny looking b. A number, if present, should be in the range 1 to 26. 1 is by far the most common number, and some others are very rare. It is thought that these are the numbers of the decorators. I have noticed different forms of 1, suggesting that they are not all by the same hand. The popularity of X 1 may have something to do with the fact that it also appears on some Meissen pieces. Some Bristol pieces have numbers, without any other mark.
	The B mark was also only used at Bristol. It may be followed by a number, usually in the range 1 to 8 (I have found a B 21). It has been suggested that the B mark was only used during the last three years of the factory. The mark XB has also been recorded, but it is rare.
	A copy of the Meissen crossed swords mark from the dot period (usually larger than a genuine Meissen mark). The dot may be omitted. It only applies to the Champion period. The mark is normally in under-glaze blue. A decorator's number may also be present. Sometimes the mark has been cancelled, this may have been for legal reasons. It can also be present with either an X or a B. They may be either separate marks, or one on top of the other. In the latter case the X or B is usually on top, very rarely the crossed swords is on top.
s and fakes	The inclusion of a small S in the decoration indicates a copy made by Sampson of Paris. These pieces will usually be of superior quality to the the originals! There are also fakes produced by other Paris makers, particularly of Cookworthy items, which may have correct marks (the marks are often too large). These are fairly obvious, due to superior potting and a more extensive color palette. They may also have the wrong shape. An X mark followed by a year (e.g. X 1776) should be treated with suspicion, as these are probably bone china copies produced for the Bristol firm S J Kepple early in the 20th century. Kepple's were retailers, and sometimes wholesalers, at various addresses, between 1851 and 1915. It is possible that these reproductions were made by Coalport who did supply bone china bearing Kepple's name. Mintons made reproductions of Bristol wares, c1860, and these include X marks. They are very accurate copies, however they are made with a bone China body and may have dull looking gilding.