Today I popped into the Arcade as I was on the lookout for a birthday present for Caron’s sister. I knew what I was looking for (anything African) but for once I drew a blank.
However, as I had a little time to kill I decided to pop into the cellar to see if there was anything of interest.
I had been looking around for about five minutes when I came across two rather tired and unremarkable dishes. The price sticker (50p). I also noted that the dishes had rather interesting advertisement stamps. I purchased both plates more out of interest so I could identify their origins and this is where the trail ran cold.
There was very little information on the internet and I was wondering if any of our readers had any more information about the company that produced the dishes. The bright advertisement (which is still very clear) noted that the dishes were produced by The Ceramic Art Co Ltd.
My internet research notes that the Ceramic Art Co (1905) Ltd existed between 1905 and 1919 and was an earthenware manufacturer at the Crown Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent. You will note that the company name on the advertisement The Ceramic Art Co Ltd and the detail on the internet the Ceramic Art Co (1905) Ltd differ slightly. It is likely that the name of the manufacturer may have been modified during the fourteen years of its existence but that is my guess. Also the date of 1905 matches the statement on my dish which noted that The Ceramic Art Co Ltd had been established for fifteen years.
The Crown Pottery has a long and distinguished history and there is plenty of information on the internet about the company. However, as far as I can see, there was little or no detail on The Ceramic Art Co Ltd. Maybe your great-grandparents worked for the company between 1905 and 1919 and you have memories that you might like to share with us. Or, that like me, you have a few examples of the ceramics they produced. If so, the Arcade would be happy to hear from you. In a way, that is the beauty of visiting the Arcade.
You might pop in just to look around and then find yourself on the trail of a mysterious company that ceased production in 1919 and then vanished quietly into the mists of time.
My internet research notes that the Ceramic Art Co (1905) Ltd existed between 1905 and 1919 and was an earthenware manufacturer at the Crown Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent. You will note that the company name on the advertisement The Ceramic Art Co Ltd and the detail on the internet the Ceramic Art Co (1905) Ltd differ slightly. It is likely that the name of the manufacturer may have been modified during the fourteen years of its existence but that is my guess. Also the date of 1905 matches the statement on my dish which noted that The Ceramic Art Co Ltd had been established for fifteen years.