English Registry Marks
DATING ENGLISH POTTERY & CERAMICS
The diamond-shaped English Registry mark, was used by the English patent office from 1842 to 1883 to identify pieces of English pottery and
porcelain. The mark has the Roman numerals “IV” at the top of the mark if it is for a ceramic. Marks registered from 1842 to 1867 have a letter at the
top of the diamond. Marks registered from 1867 to 1883 have a number instead of a letter at the top of the diamond.
After 1883, the diamond shape was discontinued and “Rd. No.” followed by the number assigned to the ceramic, was used.
In Mark “A,” the various letters and numbers indicate the following: the large “Rd” means “registered”; the Roman numeral in the circle at the top of the mark represents the type of material used to make a piece; the Roman numeral in the top inside section of the diamond represents the year the piece was registered; the Arabic numeral on the right-hand section represents the day of the month the piece was registered; the Arabic numeral in the section at the bottom represents the parcel number, which is a code indicating the person or company that registered the piece; and the letter in the left-hand section represents the month the piece was registered. Using this example, Mark “A” appeared on a piece of ceramics registered on June 2, 1850.
In Mark “B,” the various letters and numbers reflect the following: the large “Rd” means “registered”; the Roman numeral in the circle at the top of the mark represents the type of material from which the piece was made; the Arabic numeral in the top inside section of the diamond represents the day of the month; the letter at the right-hand section represents the year the piece was registered the letter in the bottom segment represents the month the piece was registered; and the Arabic numeral at the left-hand side represents the parcel number. Using this example, Mark “B” appeared on a piece of ceramics registered on July 7, 1873.
Mark “A” represents the mark used between 1842 and 1867 – Mark “B” represents the mark between 1868 and 1883.
After 1884, the diamond-shaped marks were replaced by the letters Rd. No. (for registered number)—and numbers indicating the year the piece was registered (see Mark “C).
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Type of material or class |
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| I — metal | ||
| II — wood III – glass IV – ceramics |
A list of the English registry numbers by year. Registry Numbers are still being assigned every year until the present day
