20th Century

Potter: Mercer Pottery Co.

Biography

Mercer Pottery Co. was founded in 1868 and in operation until the 1930's.  The head of the company was John Moses who claimed to have made the first semi-porcelain ware in the United States.

Location: Trenton, New Jersey
Origins: American
Manufacturing Era: 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 20th Century
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Dinnerware
Treatments: Gold Lustre
Body Styles:
American Coronet
Motifs:
Moss Rose

Body Style: Chinese Shape

Biography

An elegantly paneled style with leaf embossing at the handle terminals and surrounding the rosebud finial. Chinese Shape is found decorated with Tea Leaf or Teaberry motifs; even with gold lustre motifs on lighter weight bodies. Some examples by Anthony Shaw actually are in lustre band only and may be either panelled or smooth.  Red Cliff copied the lines and the distinctive Shaw tea leaf in their mid-20th century reproduction line.

Naming Source: Factory Named
Manufacturing Era: 1850s, 20th Century
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Bath, Dinnerware
Treatments: Copper Lustre, Gold Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Octagon (8-Sided), Oval

Body Style: Cable Shape

Biography

One of the most popular and available bulbous body styles, it is said to have been potted to commemorate the laying of the Trans-Atlantic cable.

Naming Source: Factory Named
Manufacturing Era: 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 20th Century
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Bath, Dinnerware
Treatments: Copper Lustre, Gold Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Oblong, Other, Oval, Round

Body Style: Knoble

Biography

This is a simple body style featuring "C" shaped handles and a distinctive rim with a recessed line running just under the rim. Pieces flare out a bit at the top of holloware pieces and then taper down to the lightly smaller base.

Naming Source: Club Named
Manufacturing Era: 1880s, 1890s, 20th Century
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Bath
Treatments: Gold Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Round
Motifs:
Tea Leaf

Body Style: Erie

Biography

A body style by Wick China Company, Erie features medium ribbing emanating from the upper body of serving pieces down to the base. The pitcher has a low flared spout and a "C" shaped handle.

Naming Source: N/A
Manufacturing Era: 1880s, 1890s, 20th Century
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Dinnerware
Treatments: Gold Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Round
Motifs:
Tea Leaf

Body Style: Aurora

Biography

The Aurora body style by Wick China Company is often marked with a circular mark that says Aurora China and has a "T" a "W" and a "C" overlayed in the middle. This body style has an oval footprint and flares out slightly from the neck of serving pieces to a mid-level waist, then tapers down to the scalloped base. It has verticle lines that divide the front and back into three sections. Heavy embossed scrolls accent these indented lines as well as the rims.

Naming Source: Factory Named
Manufacturing Era: 1880s, 1890s, 20th Century
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Dinnerware
Treatments: Gold Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Oval
Motifs:
Tea Leaf

Body Style: Gently Panelled

Biography

Developed by Wallace and Chetwynd, Gently Panelled has lines that divide the body of its serving pieces into four lobes. The front and back lobes protrude further out than do the side panels. The bracket handles sport beeding along each handle side, and the steepled finial is quite impressive. The Tea Leaf motif is more like two leaves and a bud and very streamlined.

Naming Source: Club Named
Manufacturing Era: 1880s, 1890s, 20th Century
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Dinnerware
Treatments: Gold Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Oval, Round
Motifs:
Tea Leaf

Body Style: Fancy Fern

Biography

This fancy body style features a bulging, bulbous mid-section with ring handles that attach just above the bulge and face downwards. The ring finial is shaped with a somewhat clover shaped opening. To date, only two sugar bowls and a plate have been discovered.

Naming Source: Club Named
Manufacturing Era: 20th Century
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Bath
Treatments: Gold Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Round
Potters:
U. S. Pottery
Motifs:
Tea Leaf

Body Style: American Favorite

Biography

American Favorite has a domed lid, stepped finial and oval shaped base with uplift handles. The stepped finial and lug uplifted handles have an impressed flower shape embossed on them.  

Naming Source: Club Named
Manufacturing Era: 1880s, 1890s, 20th Century
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Bath, Dinnerware
Treatments: Gold Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Oval