Historical information

J & G Meakin was an English pottery manufacturing company founded in 1851 and based in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
In the 19th century, J & G Meakin was known for the vast quantities of cheap ironstone china it produced for the domestic English market and export to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States and one of these pottery lines was called "EMPRESS" and was in production through the 1930s.
From around 1970, designs included Liberty, Sterling, Trend, Classic, and Heirloom. Some of these were influenced by earlier designs. The newer wares can be distinguished by back stamp markings such as 'permanent colours', 'everlasting colour', or 'dishwasher proof'. J & G Meakin had close family and corporate affiliations to the potteries Johnson Brothers, and Alfred Meakin Ltd, which explains why many patterns are similar, if not almost the same. There was a takeover by J. & G. Meakin in 1968 of Midwinter Pottery.
The firm was then taken over by the Wedgwood Group in 1970. In 2000 production under the Meakin name ceased and their long-established works, Eagle Pottery, was then used for the production of Johnson Bros pottery. Eagle Pottery closed in 2004 when production was transferred abroad; the works were demolished in 2005.

Significance

Item is significant as today the "EMPRESS" china pattern from the 1930s by Meakin is today a collectable item and a good example of the Meakin range of china.

Physical description

Plate china white oval with a pattern inscribed along the edge

Inscriptions & markings

Inscription to base "EMPRESS"