Crested China

The ’Edwardian’ and ’Victorian’ periods saw a tremendous interest in crested china or porcelain miniatures. It is believed that 90% of all households possessed a piece of china.

The ’Industrial Revolution’, and introduction of ’bank holidays’ meant more disposable income as also the development of travel facilities like the ’railways’ and ’steamers’, helped boost the sale of crested china considerably. The most popular crested china was manufactured by William Henry Goss, which bore the insignia of a ’court of arms’ of the place where they were sold. Other manufacturers include ’Carlton’, ’Shelly’ and ’Arcadian’. Goss is said to have initiated the idea of souvenirs bearing crests and names of the resorts and bore ’Greek’ and ’Roman’ symbols. They also manufactured figurines of famous personalities like’ Queen Victoria’, and ’George V ’. Many potters left pottery and ventured into the manufacture of china. The Goss crested china was fashioned on persons or objects of historic importance other manufacturers created souvenirs on common everyday objects. Goss crested china gained popularity at the start of the 20th century. The drop in sales, caused by the First World War, saw a rival during the Second World War. Original Goss mostly comes with an inscription on the base with a note on the object and a goshawk crest with the name W.H. Goss below it.

Over 2,500 pieces that encompass Parian figures, tea services, pots, jugs, beautiful coloured figures and cottages can be found in a variety of over 10,000 different styles and designs.