Needless to say, as evidenced in previous posts, I am obsessed about vintage/antique dinnerware and fine China. I am always just so amazed when these manage to make it through the years, sometimes completely unscathed. To be quite honest, some of these items look better than me at my age!
I think this says a lot about the quality of the products, but it says even more about the people that owned these. They must have truly loved them to take such good care.
The Johnson Brothers WINDSOR WARE I acquired dates back to the 1940s. Not extremely old, but a very complete collection. It must have look absolutely stunning when it was first purchased and must have been quite a treasured purchase.
Johnson Brothers Pottery, founded back in 1883, produced wares up until 2015, though under different parent companies. In 2015, when the company was acquired as an umbrella under the Waterford Wedgwood Group by Finnish company Fiskars, the branding was discontinued.
The brothers were grandsons of renowed Alfred Meakin, who established himself as one of the finest potters in England, so their products were highly anticipated.
Their introduction of semi-porcelain white ware became popular as a durable, stylish and affordable product, establishing themselves as one of Sttafordshire’s most successful potteries.
Around 1888, the brothers introduced the line to US consumers and opened franchises in the US in New York City. Sales boomed, allowing them to grown in the UK and focus on expanding worldwide.
In the 50s, they earned Royal Warrants from Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen mother, but by the 60s high competition and new technology, forced them to partner with larger companies.
The Windsor Ware series produced in the 1940s consisted of several lines of design. I have seen this particular floral design called by different names, some referring to it as the Victorian Rose collection and some as the Old English.
This beautifully detailed line has an elaborate textured rope edge, along with gold trim, gold filigree and a center of delicate flowers on a two tone (white/cream) background. It’s stunning, particularly when the whole set is laid out, with its matching plates, saucers, cups, serving platters, gravy, cream, soup tureen and dessert plates.
I would love to find out more details. However, the information online is scarce and some of it unreliable.
