Antique & Vintage Ironstone Pottery Price Guide
About Ironstone
First patented in 1813 by Charles Mason in Stafforshire, England, ironstone is made of porous earthenware, coated with a fired-on glaze that makes it both impermeable to liquids and difficult to break.
It is heavier than other ceramic wares and often has a bluish tinge. It was initially developed as a frugal alternative to the more expensive porcelain. Americans especially coveted the white ironstone, while the English enjoyed transfer-decorated ironstone.
About This Price Guide
Each of the items in the photos below I currently own or have owned in the past. Most are pieces that an “average” buyer or seller might come across, unlike many price guides that contain only higher end items.Values are based on my personal experience being in the antique business for almost twenty years.
Note that values vary from state to state, region to region, and country to country; for example, I live in Upstate New York, which has a very different market than New York City. Other factors affecting value include condition and market (auction, store, eBay, etc.). My goal is to provide helpful information, so please accept this Guide in the spirit it was intended.
Boote, T & R Ironstone
T& R Boote Tureen
England, 9″ h x 9″ diam (c.1860)
Value: $65-85.00 (if perfect)
Booths Ironstone
Booths produced pottery in Tunstall England from 1891-1948. They used the term “semi-porcelain” (a synonym for “ironstone”) from about 1891-1906. Prior to 1891, the company was known as “Thomas Booth & Co.” In 1955, they merged with Ridgeway Pottery to form Allied English Pottery, which later became Royal Doulton Group.
England, 15″ x 7″ (c.1891-1906)
SOLD: $25.00 (antique booth)
Burgess & Campbell Ironstone
Burgess & Campbell Soap Dish
(Trenton, NJ) 6.5″ w x 4.5″ d (c. 1910)
Sold $20.00 (antique booth)
Burleigh Ware Ironstone
Burleigh Ware has produced ironstone in Staffordshire England from 1862-present. The reference to 1851 as part of the mark, refers to the start date of the original company–Hulme and Booth.
Value: $10-15
Burleigh Ware, Est. 1851, Burslem, England, IRONSTONE
Davenport Ironstone
Produced in Staffordshire, England, Davenport ironstone was manufactured from 1793-1887.
Davenport Canister (no lid)
4 1/4″ x 5″ diam (c. 1800)
Value: $20-25 (with lid: $40-45.00)
#s on either side of anchor indicate year, i.e., 1800
George Jones & Sons
George Jones & Sons produced ironstone in Staffordshire England from 1851-1951.
Value: $100-120
Beginning in the 1870ās, American pottery companies began to develop their own lines of white ironstone, which had previously been manufactured exclusively by English companies and shipped to the US from about the 1840ās onward.
Homer Laughlin Company (HLC) began operations about that time and are probably best known for their Fiesta line of dishware. At some point around the 1950’s, they transitioned into producing restaurantware (like the piece below), which tends to be heavier, whiter, and glossier (when new) than their ironstone.
Homer Laughlin Restaurantware Platter
American, 12″ wide (c. 1930’s)
Value: $10-12.00
Johnson Bros. Ironstone
Johnson Bros. produced ironstone in Staffordshire England during the period 1883-2004.
Johnson Bros Ironstone Platter
England, 14″ wide (c. 1917)
Value: $12-15.00
Johnson Bros. Brown Transfer Ironstone Platter
English, 14″ long (c. 1850-1890)
Value: $30-35
England, 15″ wide (c.1974+)
England, 10″ (c.1974+)
Value: $10-12
Johnson Bros. Mark
John Maddock & Sons Ironstone
John Maddock & Sons produced ironstone in Staffordshire England from 1855-1960s.
Maddock & Co Ironstone Mug
4.5″ high (c. 1890’s)
Sold $10 (antique booth)
John Maddock & Sons Sauce Boat
7.5″ wide x 7″ high (c.1880’s)
Value: $40-45
John Maddock Gravy Boat
4 1/4″ h x 8″ w (c. 1880-1896)
Value: $20-25
John Maddock & Sons, LTD, Royal Vitreous, England
Maddock Creamer
3″ high (c.1950’s)
Value: $6-7
Maddock England mark
Red Cliff Ironstone
Red Cliff ironstone was produced in Chicago, Illinois from 1950-1980.
Red Cliff Soup Bowl “Grape”
4 1/2″ h x 5″ diam (c. 1970)
Value: $10 (w/o lid & under-plate)
Redcliff Ironstone mark (incised)
Thomas Hughes Ironstone
Thomas Hughes & Sons began producing ironstone in Staffordshire England in 1895 and continued until 1957.
Thomas Hughes Pitcher (11 1/2″ h) English
Majestic Bowl (4 5/8″ h x 14″ diam) American
c. 1930-1935
Value: $65-75
Thomas Hughes mark on bowl
Majestic mark on pitcher
T. J. & J. Mayers Ironstone
Thomas, John, and Joshua Mayer operated a pottery in Burslem, England from 1843-1855. For several years in the 1950’s, they exhibited their pottery at the British Exhibitions.
English, 23″ x 11.5″ (c. 1870’s)
Turner, Goddard, & Co.
Turner, Goddard, & Co., England (c.1867-74)
Unmarked Ironstone
(unmarked, likely American)
approx. 10″ h
Value: $50-60.00
Other posts you might enjoy:
More Price Guides
A Guide to Collecting Antique & Vintage Ironstone
How to Clean & Care for Antique Ironstone
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Resources Used for This Post:
The Potteries.org (marks)
4 Fabulous Antique Resources [on the web] & How to Use Them
Beautiful pieces – the creamer is my favourite.
Nice post, Diana. I applaud your bravery in committing to price guides, something I steer away from, as they're so fluid. There are just so many regional price schemes, availability, popularity levels, and ebbs and flows in overall demand at any given point in time…but this is a great, in-the-moment post that I'm sure many will want to see, especially those new to ironstone (or any given subject you venture into).
Very interesting to read, Diana. I always love stuff like this:) Whenever I come home I always go right online and try to figure out what the piece is worth. I have an ironstone tureen collection as well as many other pieces. Some of my favorites are from J&G Meakin, W&E Corn, Haeger and Castro. xoKathleen
Wonderful post, enjoyed reading and learning! Thank you, Mickie
Oh I really think I'm going to love this new feature on your blog! So helpful! I love how you describe each piece, tell the dates, and then show the markings. I have a small collection of ironstone myself and I also have an Etsy shop so this is very useful for me. :o]
Tania
You have a great blog. I am a collector and dealer of ironstone also, and although I live in Arizona your price guide is consistent with my part of the country too.
Karee
I need help determine the value of a pitcher and basin set . Jbw& sons Longton. Staffordshire England. It is ornately gold decorated. The bottom reads “hand done” would appreciate any information and can send photos. Thanks
Ronda
Interesting article! Saving & pinning for future reference! How do you know it’s Ironstone if it is unmarked?
So helpful….thanks so much! Researching all the many differences/distinctions in the world of ceramics and your generous info really helps. š
I have a full set of Red Cliff- dinners; salads, b&b; cups & saucers, cereals;platter; pitcher; coffee pot;cream & sugar; tureens. Pattern is mostly HEIRLOOM in dishes; some SYDENHAM, some GRAPE in serving pieces. Excellent condition=no chips=well cared-for. I registered for the set as a bride in 1966. I haven’t used it for the last 15 years. Would like to sell it, but shipping and pricing would be a daunting task for me. I am in Spokane, WA. Any advice? Replacements.com or a private collector?
I have a green currant canister made in England. The markings on the bottom were not fully pressed into the wet material. One marking looks like;
L ?***
Lan*****?**B
England
10
Another mark says:
LER**?****
GLAZE
and then there is a
1QT
Does anyone know what this is or can I send a picture to someone to identify it?
Hi Alf–feel free to send photos to: adirondackgirlatheart [at] gmail [dot] com and I’ll see if I can help you out š
I have a platter just white plain. It’S a MADDOCK & CO STONE CHINA BURSLEM ENGLAND. How can I find out it’s value. My father gave it to me over 40 years ago I think and it was old then I believe.
Hi Doris–did you look at the examples of Maddock ironstone in this price guide? They should help you get a ball park figure. Also, feel free to join my Facebook group, called “Your Vintage Headquarters.” It’s filled with vintage lovers who post their vintage finds and talk to each other about vintage every day. Good luck!
I have a vintage plate that I would like to know the worth of. It is fine American ironstone with pictures of NYC, by Enco National. It has four large roses and famous spots in NYC, like the Empire State Building. THERE IS A PICTURE POSTED ON DECEMBER 21st ON A SITE CALLED, FLOWER DIVAS OF MONTOUR FALLS, ON FACEBOOK.
On the back of my vintage plate it reads: First viewed by Verrazano in 1524 discovered by Dutch Henry Hudson in 1609 settled in 1613 Manhattan Island purchased from Indians for $24.00 by PETER MINUIT in 1626.. peacefully occupied by British in 1664..recovered by Washington in 1784 during Revolutionary War.
Hi Thelma, thanks for leaving a comment. If you would like, you could join my Facebook group, Your Vintage Treasures, and you could post some photos of your plate. The group is filled with vintage-loving people who may be able to help you out.
Amazing ! Finally a website that I can understand and not pay a crazy amount just for an idea off worth.thank you
George Jones chocolate pot – I have one identical to yours that is stamped “Royal Ironstone China Johnson Brothers England.” It was a wedding gift to my great grandparents in the 1890’s, I’m told.
Such a precious heirloom, Debbie! All my ironstone I’ve picked up here and there–no heirlooms, but perhaps mine will be my children’s heirlooms someday…
I have not found any information on Maddock & Co., Burslem, England. Any idea where I may find info on my platter?
Hi Eileen. I’m presuming you checked out the pieces I have in this Price Guide? Wikipedia has an article on Thomas Maddock who started the pottery–that’s a good place to start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Maddock Good luck!
Hi there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone!
Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all
your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!
Glad you’re enjoying it! Thanks so much for the kind comment š
I have a pitcher with a green crown with “C.P.C” and another marking that looks like a half size ” 0″ over a half size figure “8” on its side.
and the Bowl just says “Germany” on it.
Any idea the value?
Thank You
I have a bowl I received from my grandmother. It was her “pasta” bowl and I have treasured it. Not looking to part with it or even know its value, I just was curious on the company and when exactly it might have been made to know just how old it is.
Based on my age, I’m guessing over 70 years.
In all the discussions on ironstone, I have not seen this brand: Westwood, Finest Ironstone, Detergent resistant, oven proof, Japan
It has a very colorful design with several vegetables.Just wondered if in in your travels you had ever seen this mfr.
-Thanks
Hi Teri–don’t you just love those precious “gifts” our grandmothers and mothers leave us? So many memories! Items that are marked “Detergent resistant” can be dated to about the 1970’s when dishwashers and their strong detergents were introduced. I looked up Westwood on Etsy and saw a couple of pieces and realized my sweet mother-in-law has some in her cupboard that we use all the time š It doesn’t technically fall into the “ironstone” category. The company was simply trying to take elevate the buyer’s thinking about the dishware. Hope that helps!
Hi
Could you help me date and value 2 pieces of ironstone , one is a small soup tureen for one with leaf border and C.M.—-
written underneath.The other is a very large white soup tureen ?.
Thank-you.
Regards Julie Ellis.
Hi Julie! I have a blog post all about dating vintage and antiques: 9 FREE Ways to Price Your Vintage & Antiques: https://adirondackgirlatheart.com/9-free-ways-to-price-antiques/ And feel free to join my FB group (Your Vintage Headquarters) and post some photos of your ironstone — members will help you date and value them š Good luck!
Hi Diana,
Many years ago my grandmother passed along ( what I think would be my great – grandmothers dishes to me. They are Masonā s patent ironstone in the Blue bell pattern ( blue and white ) I have been trying to date them. I have almost a full set and love them. Very little information regarding dates so far. Thought I would see if you may know ?
Thank you
Kim
Sounds like a lovely set Kim. I use thepotteries.com to date English dishware. They’ll have a section on Mason’s with their back stamps by year. Good luck!
Hello,
I have recently acquired a serving dish which says ironstone England and nothing else. Any idea how I can find out who is the maker? Thank you
Hello! Iām so happy to come across your blog. What a great resource!
Thank you for sharing your treasures.
I greatly appreciate your time and help, if you can.
Thank you,
Sophie
I recently came into possession of an ironstone pitcher with a unique scroll design which belonged to my grandmother. There is no maker’s mark…are there any resources which would allow me to find out more about it and/or date it, or is this not possible?
A lot of unmarked ironstone is American made. In my article about collecting ironstone, I talk about this (https://adirondackgirlatheart.com/my-vintage-ironstone-collection/) In my research, I’ve not come accross a guidebook about American ironstone, only English. Even when it’s marked, it’s difficult to establish specific dates of production as there’s not a lot of info available.
I have an unmarked piece of Ironstone from my great grandmother. I can easily assume that it is American made. I thought it was a coffee pot, but it looks quite like what you have identified as a chocolate pot from your own collection. How can you tell the difference? From tales of family history, I think they were a very common family.
Spouts on chocolate pots are placed high, up near the lids. I misidentified the coffee pot in this price guide as a chocolate pot 10 years ago when I wrote it, LOL. Thanks for helping me make the correction Raeanne š