1890s

The ribbing at the base of the chamber pieces may have been the inspiration for the Adams' 20th century Tea Leaf replicas (Empress). Since Adams called his ware "Empress," we have dubbed this late 19th century product Old Empress. After all, in the late 1890-'s, Queen Victoria was indeed an "Old Empress."

Note that the potter is C. Challinor who was in business for only four years, from 1892 to 1896. This firm was the successor of the better known E & C Challinor, 1862-1891.

This Simple Square body style by Cartwright Brothers Pottery Company boasts bracket handles, Pagoda finials and an embossed pattern of small geometric flower petals and ovals on the upturned handles. This potter is known for their creamy color but very white colored pottery pieces are also known. The gold Tea Leaf is often the horizontal or "lying down" version (coined by Annise Heavilin) but a simplified Tea Leaf with no bud that is vertical is known.

This simple square body style flares gently outward to the low waist, then is abruptly indented to the recessed base. It is named for the oriental flavor of the arch finials and handles. The Steubenville Pottery version is often decorated with a Tea Plum also called the Tea Leaf lollypop.

This is a generic category which includes scalloped rim pieces, both flat and hollow, that have no specialized embossing. In addition, it includes the scalloped rim bone dishes, butter pats, and nappies.

Henry Burgess' late entry of a Square Ridged style featured ribbing below the low waist of a flared body which is almost hexagonal. The upturned bracket handles are decorated with beading on the underside. The graceful curve of the triangular arch finial softens the vertical lines of this style. Registered in 1896.

This Square Ridged body style was produced by Burford Brothers and sports large ear-shaped handles and horizontal flattened finials. Decorated with gold stylized Tea Leaf without buds, it does look like a sturdy ware that would celebrate the bounty of the day.

This body style is used to describe the identical ladles that Powell and Bishop and allied potters used with different body styles, including: Square Ridged - Iona and Simple Square - Puffy.

A complete line of this gold-lustred ware was advertised as "Iona" in an 1895 catalog. The graceful arc of the finial and the vertical handles add to the attractiveness of this late body style. Registered in 1886.

The bulbous sides of this square style inspire the name "Puffy." The diamond shaped openwork finial is a unique addition to an interesting form.

Plain Round is a term we use to describe a variety of wares by different potters. These wares are typically of a simple bulbous shape, unadorned and may have been produced for institutions such as hotels or restaurants and Inns. Durability was the drawing card, yet there is beauty in the simplicity of the lines. They were not necessarily manufactured to go with one body style but with many different ones. Plain Round can be found in children's and adult wares, as well as in bath and dinnerware items.