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Paragon China Ltd

KEY DATES

1899 - 1919   Star China Co. - adopted Paragon trade name c.1900
1919 - 1960   Paragon China Co. Ltd.
1960 - 1964   Owned by T.C. Wild but retained trade name Paragon
1964             T.C. Wild merged with Lawley Group to form Allied English Potteries
                    Ltd.
1968             Became part of Royal Doulton Group
1989             Paragon name taken over by Royal Albert

LOCATIONS

1899 - 1987 Atlas Works, Longton
1966 - Albert Works, Longton

DESCRIPTION

Paragon China began as the Star China Co., owned by Herbert Aynsley and Hugh Irving. The name Paragon was adopted as a trade mark in around 1900 and the company formally became known as Paragon China Ltd. in 1919. The name was selected deliberately to allude to excellence and quality of product. Herbert Aynsley retired in 1927and ownership of the business passed to Hugh Irving and his sons Leslie and Guy.

The company manufactured bone china wares and during the inter-war period established a reputation for producing high quality tea and table wares. Nursery and toy wares were also a speciality having been part of the Star China product line since 1904. In the early 20s new forms of decoration were used including gold printed patterns. In the early 1930s new conical shapes with stepped ribs (Duchess shape) in the art deco style were produced to compete with companies such as Shelley and Aynsley. The export market was important to Paragon selling predominantly to Canada, USA, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

In 1936 a factory reconstruction programme was planned to include a new smokeless factory, two new shops and an electric enamel kiln. After the war an electric glost kiln was installed, a new flat-making shop, biscuit kilns and warehouses.

The company continued to produced during the second World War. By 1946 they had increased their range of products to include animal figures, breakfast sets, ashtrays, and eggcups.

Paragon were fortunate enough to receive continued royal patronage, initially from the Duchess of York in 1926. Some of their notable achievements include:
1926   Duchess of York commissioned china for the nursery of Princess Elizabeth
          (the company also produced a commemorative mug to celebrate the birth
           of   the Princess)
1930   Duchess of York commissioned a tea service to mark the birth of Princess
          Margaret Rose
1933   Company granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment by Queen Mary
1938   Company granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment by Queen Elizabeth the
          Queen Mother
1953   Company granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment by Queen Elizabeth II

Although Paragon were taken over in 1960 by T.C. Wild & Sons, and later by the Doulton Group, the Paragon name was retained as a separate identity, having strong marketing potential. Latterly traditional floral patterns were the mainstay of the product range with Royal commemoratives being produced and eagerly sought after.

Designers for the company included Ceri Clayton, Agnes Pinder Davis, Reginald Johnson and J A Robinson.

Spours' book on tablewares reports that Paragon pattern books are not available, presumed lost. Some information on the later patterns is contained in a separate pattern information sheet.

COLLECTION DETAILS

1984.P.1015 Dinner plate. Olympus pattern. c.1980

1985.P.110 Teapot, milk jug, sugar bowl, cups and saucers. Floral pattern. Vertical fluting. 1930s

1987.P.536 Trio. Floral pattern. 1930s

1987.P.546 Trio. Water lilies. 1930s

1987.P.577 Loving cup. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. 1978

1987.P.447 Cup and saucer. All over gold floral decoration. Designed by Reginald Johnson. For sale in Canada as gift items, not as a tea set.

1933.C.2 Loving cup. To commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. 1953

1933.C.3 Loving cup. To commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Limited edition no.549. 1953.