ALFRED MEAKIN ROYAL VICTORIA ART DECO IMARI CHINA

This Staffordshire pottery company was renowned for its use of bright regal colors of the Art deco Era. Their dinnerware lines produced on a china medium known as semi-porcelain was always exuberant.

ALFRED MEAKIN ROYAL VICTORIA ART DECO

ROYAL VICTORIA: TRADEMARK OF ALFRED MEAKIN

JOHNSON BROS. PAREEK IMARI CUPS & SAUCERS

PAREEK TRADEMARK OF JOHNSON BROTHERS

Bright yellow, orange, green and regal cobalt blue is often referred to as Imari china by many collectors and dealers. The cobalt blue used in conjunction with the Imari colors is referred to as Blue Royal or Bleu De Roi (King’s Blue). Alfred Meakin's use of octagonal shapes enhanced the partial transfers and petite hand painted florals of their dinnerware lines and always added a rich texture to any dining experience. One such pattern was labeled Royal Victoria and dates 1933.

Alfred Meakin china was adored in Canada for many years and had been exported from England in great quantities. It was thought of in regal terms and the Alfred Meakin factory was not shy to stamp their pieces as Royal Semi Porcelain. Often times pieces of china leaving their factories were also marked Blue Royal. Even though the clay composition was not actual porcelain, rather earthenware that was light weight with a high gloss finish to resemble porcelain, the company as did many other English factories pushed their products as porcelain because of the labeling, semi porcelain, to gain a hold on the consumer. Such pottery was more affordable than porcelain and was an instant success amongst the more affluent who wanted a great look at a great price.

Other art deco Imari Wares were manufactured by other competitor companies such as the Johnson Brothers of England. These are executed on a semi-porcelain body as well. This set of four cups and saucers is yet another interesting example of the art deco time period of pottery production in England.