1885 -1903
Trading Continued as Robinson & Son
When Elijah Brain and his partners took over the Foley China Works, from Robinson & Son, in 1885 they continued, until1903, producing wares using the marks of the previous. Trade names, which we might now refer to as “brands”, included “Foley Art China” and “Harjian”, both are to be found with both the Robinson and the later E Brain marks.
1903 – 1905
Foley China EB&Co within Staffordshire three loop knot
Between c.1903-5 the company used a similar trade mark but changed the initials used from R&S to EB&C the “L” under the knot representing Longton the town of which Foley was a small district. The letter “F” at some time replaced the “L” presumably representing the town of Fenton or area Foley. The EST 1850 refers back to the establishment of the pottery by Mr Robinson. The three loop knot had long been used as a symbol of Staffordshire and many Stoke-on-Trent potters used it as part of their marks.
1905 – 1913
Foley Art China – Peacock Pottery
The “FOLEY ART CHINA”, “PEACOCK POTTERY” trade names were used by E. Brain & Co. Art China under the brand name “PEACOCK POTTERY” which was introduced c.1905 and were used without referring to the company E Brain & Co.
Some commentators’ say the new Art deigns did not prove as popular as the prevailing floral patterned ware so were not long lived, however the new decorative styles created a minor revolution in design which effected the trade, and were copied by many other firms.
A design number or name was usually painted or printed alongside the trade mark. The design numbers started at 1 and go to just over 100 (current highest I’ve found is 110). The design names include Indian Tree, Scottish Thistle, Swastika and Silhouette. The, presumably latter, higher numbered designs seem to return towards more flowery designs.
1913 – 1919
Foley China EB&Co England
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1919 – 1930
Foley China EB&Co Made in England
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1930 – 1936
Foley EB&Co China
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1936 – 1948
Foley China E.Bain & Co Ltd
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1948 – 1963
EB Foley Bone China
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1963 – 1967
Coalport
