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J.&G. Meakin

Earthenware manufacturers of domestic tableware. Prior to 1945 they made predominantly inexpensive export wares, particularly for the American market, both North and South. In the 19th century the firm was well-known for its white granite (undecorated ironstone) wares in imitation of contemporary French porcelain. By the 1950s about 80% of production was for export markets which by this time also included Australia, New Zealand, the Far East and Scandinavia.

In the 20th century the firm has been most widely recognised for the "Sol" wares produced between 1912 and 1963 for home and hotel use. In the early 1950s around a million pieces of Sol were manufactured per week.

Post war expansion in the home market for domestic tableware resulted in a wide range of traditional and fashionable shapes and patterns being produced.

17 shapes and over 100 patterns have been identified for the period 1945-1975.

In 1955 a new range entitled Habitant Studio Ware was released for the home trade. This was boldly hand-painted in stripes, to resemble a chequered or tartan effect on the flatware, while cups were self-coloured in bold colours to match the stripes. The ware was available in raspberry red, daffodil yellow, bottle green and grey.

For a listing of patterns and shapes which have been identified from the trade press, please see our J & G Meakin pattern page.

Mr. J.G. Slater was Art Director from around the beginning of the 20th century until 1955, when he retired after 60 years service with the company. He started at Meakins as an engraver in 1894, becoming Assistant Designer under his father (Mr. J. Slater) in 1898.

Post war design team of Frank Trigger, Alan Rodgers and Tom Arnold worked under the direction of I Travers-Smith (Homes Sales Manager) and they were noted for the Studio (shape 2) range 1963-late 1970s.

Baker, D. Potworks : The Industrial Architecture of the Staffordshire Potteries,Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1991.

Hampson, R.S. Longton Potters 1700-1865. Journal of Ceramic History Vol. 14, City Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, 1982.

Hollowood, B. The Story of J and G Meakin 1851-1951, Bemrose, 1951.

Jenkins, J.G.(ed) The Victoria County History of Staffordshire, Oxford University Press, 1963.

Jewitt, L. The Ceramic Art of Great Britain (1878) Revised and expanded by GA Godden, Barrie and Jenkins, 1972.

Mankowitz, W. and Haggar, R.G. The Concise Encyclopedia of English Pottery and Porcelain, Andre Deutsh, 1957.

Niblett, K. Dynamic Design : The British Pottery Industry 1940-1990, City Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, 1990.

Wetherbee, J. White Ironstone: A Collector’s Guide, Antique Trader Books, USA, 1996.

J&G Meakin Centenary Celebrations July 1951

George Mountford (MD) Eagle Works Sept 1955

Meakin's Studio Ware May 1955

Bernard Meakin Retires Dec 1955

London Showrooms for J&G Meakins Dec 1957

Mr I Travers-Smith joins J&G Meakin Dec 1957

J&G Meakin’s Substantial Profit (Eastwood Closure) June 1959

J&G Meakin introduce New Shape Feb 1964

Death of Bernard Meakin March 1964

J&G Meakin Streamline Sales & Production August 1966

Sterling Joins Studio Sept 1967

Merger with Midwinter August 1968

Centenary of J&G Meakin Sept 1951

Note:- Short references to J&G Meakin wares appear in February editions each year with examples of new patterns shown at the Blackpool Trade Fairs.

Examples in the collection of The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent (formerly the City Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent)

Object: Sugar box
Pattern: floral print
Shape: Antique
Date: 1983
Ref. no: 1983P441

Object: Dinner ware
Pattern: Willow print
Shape: unknown
Date: c1980s
Ref. no: 1980P410

Object: Tea ware
Pattern: floral print
Shape: unknown
Date: c1980s
Ref. no: 1980P395

Object: Dinner ware
Pattern: Poppy
Shape: Studio (2)
Date: 1973
Ref. no: 1980P398

Object: Dinner plate
Pattern: Whispering
Shape: Studio (2)
Date: 1971
Ref. no: 1983P443

Object: Coffee pot
Pattern: Whispering
Shape: Studio (2)
Date: 1971
Ref. no: 1983P442

Object: Teaware
Pattern: Tuliptime
Shape: Studio (2)
Date: 1971
Ref. no: 1992C276

Object: Coffee set
Pattern: Topic
Shape: Studio (2)
Date: 1967
Ref. no: 1987P561

Object: Tableware
Pattern: Allegro
Shape: Studio (2)
Date: 1964
Ref. no: -

Object: Teapot
Pattern: Wayside
Shape: Studio (2)
Date: 1964
Ref. no: 1983P40

Object: Casserole dish
Pattern: Ascot
Shape: Studio (2)
Date: 1964
Ref. no: 1986P123

Object: Side plate
Pattern: printed oak leaf
Shape: Grace
Date: c1963
Ref. no: 1989P30

Object: Side plate
Pattern: hand painted tree
Shape: Horizon
Date: c1957-60
Ref. no: 1985P96

Object: Coffee pot
Pattern: Rockfern
Shape: Grace
Date: 1958
Ref. no: 1991P148

Object: Coffee set
Pattern: Donegal
Shape: Grace
Date: 1957
Ref. no: 1987P511

Object: Jug
Pattern: Habitat (tartan)
Shape: Studio (1)
Date: 1955
Ref. no: 1987P511

Object: Side plate
Pattern: Misty Morn
Shape: Grace
Date: c1950s
Ref. no: 1991P1947

Object: Plate
Pattern: rose, lithograph
Shape: oval
Date: 1920-9
Ref. no: 1991P24

Information compiled by Sean Sims, March 1995, revised M. Goodby 2000, S.Taylor 2002.