How to date Worcester china and pottery
Dating Worcester based on backstamped hallmarks.
Royal Worcester is one of the oldest English porcelain manufacturers still in production today. Originally founded as Worcester Porcelain Company by Dr John Wall in 1751.
Royal Worcester Date Marks were first placed on pottery and porcelain in 1862 but it was 1867 before it became common place. Awarded a royal warrant in 1788, due to its success and quality. Royal Worcester is also known for its many well-known painters and artists which can also help with dating a piece.
Earlier Worcester Marks are rarely seen, and typically the crescent mark dates pieces to the Dr Wall period before 1783.
Today the Royal Worcester brand sits under the Portmeirion Pottery Group umbrella, along with Spode, Portmeirion and Pimpernel.
Following are fast links to information below:
Royal Worcester Lettering Date System
1867 – 67 or A
1868 – 68 or B
1869 – 69 or C
1870 – 70 or D
1871 – 71 or E
1872 – 72 or G
1873 – 73 or H
1874 – 74 or I
1875 – 75 or K
1876 – 76 or L
1877 – 77 or M
1878 – N
1879 – P
1880 – R
1881 – S
1882 – T
1883 – U
1884 – V
1885 – W
1886 – X
1887 – Y
1888 – Z
1889 – O
1890 – a
Royal Worcester Dot Date System
1892 – 1 dot on left of crown.
1893 – 1 dot each side of crown
1894 – 2 dots left 1 right
1895 – 2 dots left 2 right
1896 – 3 dots left 2 right
1897 – 3 dots left 3 right
1898 – 4 dots left 3 right
1899 – 4 dots left 4 right
1900 – 5 dots left 4 right
1901 – 5 dots left 5 right
1902 – 6 dots left 5 right
1903 – 6 dots left 6 right
6 dots left 6 right
1904 – plus 1 dot under circle
1905 – plus 2 dots under circle
1906 – plus 3 dots under circle
1907 – plus 4 dots under circle
1908 – plus 5 dots under circle
1909 – plus 6 dots under circle
1910 – plus 7 dots under circle
1911 – plus 8 dots under circle
1912 – plus 9 dots under circle
1913 – plus 10 dots under circle
1914 – plus 11 dots under circle
1915 – plus 12 dots under circle
Royal Worcester Markings from 1815 to 1948
Royal Worcester Shape Date System
1916 – * under circle
1917 – * plus 1 dot
1918 – * plus 2 dots
1919 – * plus 3 dots
1920 – * plus 4 dots
1921 – * plus 5 dots
1922 – * plus 6 dots
1923 – * plus 7 dots
1924 – * plus 8 dots
1925 – * plus 9 dots
1926 – * plus 10 dots
1927 – * plus 11 dots
1928 – open square
1929 – open diamond
1930 – division sign
Royal Worcester Circle Date System
1931 – 2 linked circles
1932 – 3 linked circles
1933 – 3 circles 1 dot
1934 – 3 circles 2 dots
1935 – 3 circles 3 dots
1936 – 3 circles 4 dots
1937 – 3 circles 5 dots
1938 – 3 circles 6 dots
1939 – 3 circles 7 dots
1940 – 3 circles 8 dots
1941 – 3 circles 9 dots
1942 – 3 circles 10 dots
1943 – 3 circles 11 dots
1944 – 3 circles 12 dots
1945 – 3 circles 13 dots
1946 – 3 circles 14 dots
1947 – 3 circles 15 dots
1948 – 3 circles 16 dots
Royal Worcester Markings from 1949 - 1963
Royal Worcester V & W Date System
1949 – V
1950 – W
1951 – W plus 1 dot
1952 – W plus 2 dots
1953 – W plus 3 dots
1954 – W plus 4 dots
1955 – W plus 5 dots
1956 – W plus 6 dots
1957 – W plus 7 dots
1958 – W plus 8 dots
1959 – W plus 9 dots
1960 – W plus 10 dots
1961 – W plus 11 dots
1962 – W plus 12 dots
1963 – W plus 13 dots
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