A-Z of ceramics - A is for A-marked

Ceramic objects are often identified by their marks. Marks such as the Chelsea anchor or the crossed-swords of Meissen are well known (and were often pirated), yet the significance of others is uncertain.

One such mysterious mark is the capital A found on a rare group of 18th-century British porcelains. Once considered Italian, the group has been tentatively associated with small factories or experimental works at Birmingham, Kentish Town in London, and Gorgie near Edinburgh. The most recent theory is that they were made with clay imported from Virginia by two of the partners in the Bow porcelain factory. If so, the 'A' might refer to George Arnold, a sleeping partner in the concern.

Detail of mark on ‘A-marked’ group teapot. Museum no. C.207-1937

Teapot, made at an unidentified factory in Britain, probably 1740s. Museum no. C.50&A-1961 . Porcelain, painted in enamels with scenes copied from Hubert Gravelot's designs for 'Songs in the Opera Flora', published in 1737