LEARN YOUR MARKS

Makers’ symbols can help you to date a piece, so keep these explanations to hand

1 PAY ATTENTION TO THE NAME IN ANY DEDICATION ON A SIGNED FIRST EDITION BOOK, PHOTO OR DOCUMENT. Although most named dedications can reduce value, if the recipient was connected to the author or person in some way, this can raise the value dramatically.

2 A MARK INCLUDING A COUNTRY WILL TYPICALLY DATE FROM AFTER 1891. A mark comprised of the words ‘Made in’ followed by the country in English typically indicates that the piece was made after c1921. 3 The inclusion of the words ‘Bone China’ indicates that a piece dates from the 20th or early 21st century. The prefixes ‘Fine’ or ‘English’ may also be included. 4 MARKS THAT INCORPORATE A COAT OF ARMS DATE FROM AFTER 1800. The inclusion of ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’ after the company name means the piece was made after 1861, but is most likely after c1880. ‘Royal’ in a company name indicates that a piece was made no earlier than the second half of the 19th century, but is most likely later in date. 5 THE LETTERS ‘E.P.B.M’ STANDS FOR ELECTROPLATED BRITANNIA METAL, an alloy of tin, copper, antimony and zinc. It was used to make many household goods, including teapots, from c1770 (often named Britannium or Britannia ware), with electroplated examples dating from after 1846. It is also used to make the famous Oscar statuettes, introduced in 1929.