Samuel Radford Ltd (Radfords) from 1883 until 1955 the works operated from Fenton, Stoke On Trent.
The business was then sold to Coalport and then nothing much happened, with the works being demolished and the company Samuel Radford Ltd being dissolved in 1960
This is an example of their art deco decorated tableware, most likely in the late 1940's as some of the backstamps were in use from 1938 onwards and then the War severely restricted their production (Wartime Concentration Scheme) until after 1945.
DLAT Rating: 8/10 (Darling, Look At This!)
This is part of our now greatly depleted art deco collection, these were probably the most difficult for use to find in good condition (and we collected these in the 1970's), along with the beautiful "butterfly handled" teasets that we have so far retained.
To see the other RADFORDS Art Deco chinaware pieces which may still be available, take a look HERE
RADFORD (SAMUEL LTD) UK - Saucer (1) ONLY
Circa late 1920's ~ 1950's, based on the backstamp design(s)
Registered pattern: 4307
Pattern name: Unknown
Translucent fine china, meaning that when it is held to a bright light you can easily see the shadow of your hand through the chinaware
Appears to be transferware, actually quite similar to other pieces which were also called vellum decorated, we think this a type of transferware base material. However, one saucer is from a slightly earlier period (we have called this backstamp #1) as there IS an artists mark on that saucer. This saucer still appears to be substantially transferware but perhaps Radfords was transitioning from all hand decoration to a hybrid of transferware and hand crafted work.
The design is very 'Art Deco' in design and visual appearance, extensively using bold colouring dominated by a mustard Yellow, Black and various shades of Greens.
Translucent fine china, meaning that when it is held to the light you can easily see the shadow of your hand through the chinaware
Gold gilding to the saucer rim and central area only
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
We have three saucers left, one of which is backstamp #1 (an earlier production)
Saucer #1
1928 ~ 1955
All printed in Black ...
RADFORDS (on a slight downwards curve)
SR intertwined with Crown graphic
BONE CHINA (across the centre/on each side)
FENTON
STOKE-ON-TRENT (on a slight upwards curve)
MADE IN
ENGLAND
Gold gilder AND artists mark (Yellow paint) which made us think that perhaps the decoration was a hybrid of transferware and hand decoration.
Saucer #2 & 3
1938 ~ 1955
All printed in lime Green ...
RADFORDS (on a slight downwards curve)
Crown graphic
CROWN CHINA (on a slight upwards curve)
MADE IN
ENGLAND
Gold gilder's marks only with no artist markings
*Crown China was a tradename used by Radfords from 1938 onwards
DIMENSIONS:
140mm diameter
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED - it must be realised these are around 75 years old, nothing of that age is perfect!
CLEAN
The following descriptions relate to each saucer that we have left ...
NO cracks at all
NO chips at all
NO discolouration or wear to the vibrant, brightly coloured artwork decoration
NO substantial scratching to the central area of the saucers
NO fleabites (on the underside) observed at all
NO crazing observed, dry and wet checked on all saucers
I noticed on the topside of two saucers a little "dot" and looked at this very closely ... it is UNDER the glaze so it appears to have left the works in this fashion.
Gold gilding has SOME light handling wear .... primarily the centrally located circle is the most affected (where the saucer would normally sit)
ALL of the edge rim gilding is complete (no breaks) and substantially in very good condition, I would call this 9.5/10 if I was rating the condition of the edge rim Gold gilding.
ALL of the central circles are also complete BUT on two saucers I can see a "change of the Gold colouring" and a "thinness" to the applied gilding, indicating wear. The Gold has not been worn to the point of disappearing but you can see on two of the saucers a difference to the appearance of the inner circle. Still very presentable but NOT PERFECT!
