The story of J&G Meakin starts well before the brothers opened their pottery in 1851, their father James Snr born in 1807 died 1852 started potting some years earlier in Longton before moving to Cannon St Hanley in 1850. In 1851 he was due to ill health succeeded by his two sons James and George who formed what was to be a long and successful partnership we now know as J & G Meakin Pty Ltd. The brothers stayed only one year at Cannon St before moving the factory to Market St where they stayed for 7 prosperous years, on its completion in 1859 they moved to the now famous Eagle Pottery.
The Eagle pottery was bold and visionary, well in advance of its time. Erected on the moorlands on the outskirts of Hanley with good access by canal to the Mersey ports. In 1887 J & G purchased the Eastwood Pottery from brother Charles Meakin, now becoming the largest potting company in Britain. Their aim was to provide attractive and strong china with distinct patterns made for the tastes of the individual markets that they serviced. The majority of Meakin's wares were made for export to the USA and British Empire Colonies.
We know from industry periodicals of the time that the Meakin factories were at the cutting edge of technology of the day, and that from the first day of production in 1851 the factories were continually upgraded until in the 1950's they had achieved production of over 1 million pieces per week. SOL Brand became a popular favourite in Australia, NZ and the USA with patterns such as "Celeste", "Rosa", and "Sunflower" these patterns being produced with no embellishments due to wartime restrictions in force in Britain at the time.
After the war picture ware patterns were produced with patterns varied to suit the intended export destinations. In addition to the many beautiful patterns, in 1951 their centenary year Meakin produced a range of commemorative wares, these wares along with their picture ware series have now become highly collectable.
This is a beautiful set of 4 “Olde Avon Dale” soup bowls by J&G Meakin in cream with shades of brown, green and blue and pink. This is simply a beautiful set.
All the items are stamped underneath England Staffordshire “Olde Avon Dale” Permanent Colours J&G Meakin England.
The bowls are in pristine condition.
Height: 4 cm, Diameter of base: 9.5 cm, Diameter of rim: 19 cm
