The Made in England Stamp and its Popularity in China

The Made in England stamp or mark is used on pieces of china or pottery to tell people that it was made in England. The stamp or mark usually features on the bottom of the china or pottery, along with the maker’s name.

English china is highly sought after, which is why it is stamped with the Made in England mark.

Why is it used in china?

Whilst country of origin marking is not compulsory in the UK or Europe for non-food products, it is required in South Korea, the US and other markets around the world. However, most UK china manufacturers choose to stamp their products, as they believe it adds to the brand value.

English china was and still is highly sought after, as it is known for being some of the finest in the world. The Made in England stamp is therefore used to tell people that the china was made in England and is consequently of a high quality. By checking for the Made in England stamp or mark, buyers can have the peace of mind that they are paying for a premium piece of china made in an English factory.

Many producers argue that stamping their products with Made in England helps to thwart cheap imitations coming from China and other international markets.

China should only be stamped Made in England if it has actually been made in England, though there seem to be some exceptions to the rule.

What else does it tell you?

The Made in England stamp obviously denotes that a piece of china was made in England; however it can also help you to date the item. Most pieces that feature the Made in England stamp were made in the 20^th Century, usually after 1914, however some Wedgwood china pieces featuring the stamp could date back to 1898.

If a piece of pottery simply features the word ‘England’ it could have been made any time after 1891, as this stamp was introduced to comply with The American McKinley Tariff Act.

Made in England controversy

The Made in England is still widely used by china makers today, however recently there has been controversy over how a particular company seems to be using the stamp. Yes, Wedgwood, which includes the Royal Doulton and Royal Albert pottery brands has been criticised for misleading customers with the use of Wedgwood England (a variation on the traditional Made in England stamp).

Whilst 50% of its production and design work is done at its Barlaston factory near Stoke-on-Trent, the other 50% is carried out at its Indonesian factory. Whilst Wedgwood argues that the use of England is a brand name, many people argue that it is misleading customers into thinking they are buying a piece of china or pottery that has been made in England, when in actual fact it has been made in Indonesia.

Whilst country of origin markings like ‘Made in England’ is definitely one of the hottest issues the industry is facing right now, it is hoped that the acquisition of Wedgwood by Finnish group Fiskars will provide an opportunity to take a fresh look at the issue.

Looking to buy English china online?

When it comes to purchasing English china online, it is important to take extra precautions to ensure you are buying from a legitimate seller. Always ask to see evidence of the Made in England stamp and ensure you are provided with plenty of images of the china.

China that has been made in England can be pretty pricey, so if you are looking to keep your delivery costs to a minimum, we highly recommend using our parcel forwarding service. We’ll provide you with a UK delivery address so you can pay UK postage rates and then forward your china safely to your home address with affordable handling and courier costs.

Image credits: Daniel Kullinski and Le Petit Poulailler