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 - Tea Cup (1) ONLY
Circa late 1920's ~ 1950's, based on the backstamp design(s)
Registered pattern: 4307
Pattern name: Unknown
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 teacup is from a slightly earlier period (we have called this backstamp #1) as there IS an artists mark on that teacup. This teacup 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 teacup top rim, both sides and the back of the handle and around the base area
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
We have two teacups left, one of which is backstamp #1 (an earlier production)
Teacup #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.
Teacup #2
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:
77mm diameter x 70mm height
Standard handle
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 teacup that we have left ...
NO cracks at all
NO chips at all
NO discolouration or wear to the vibrant, brightly coloured artwork decoration
NO tannin stains to the inside of the teacup
NO crazing observed, dry and wet checked on both teacups
Specific details ...
Teacup #1 (Black backstamp)
Inside, at the base are two tiny little Black dots. These can be felt with a finger (upraised) and no amount of cleaning removes them. Looking very closely, these seem to be imperfections in the china and are actually under the glaze - they left the factory like this.
Light handling wear to the Gold gilding on one side of the handle only, this has rubbed a very small part of the gilding and made it look "patchy".
ALL other gilding on this cup is in good condition
Teacup #2 (Green backstamp)
A small Black dot on the outside of the teacup, very light but it is there. Again, no matter what, I could not remove this Black dot.
Inside the teacup has a curious thing ... it is like a gouge inside the cup and it is easily felt with the finger but not so noticeable visually as it is not discoloured at all. It is NOT a crack or chip as the gouge is shaped and has a GLOSSY surface i.e it has been glazed over.
ALL of the top edge rim Gold 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 top Gold gilding.
