From Deseret News archives:
'Portland' is pattern name on 19th century vase
Dear G.R.: Marks found on pottery and porcelain can sometimes be very misleading to those who have not had a great deal of experience interpreting them. On this particular piece the bottom has the word "Portland," and it might be assumed that this is the name of the maker. But it is not.
In this case, the designation "Portland" refers to a famous cameo glass vase that most scholars believe was made during the Roman Empire and has been speculated to have once held the ashes of the Emperor Alexander Severus (reigned 222 — 235 A.D.). The original was made in inky blue glass with white cameo carved decorations that are said to depict the marriage of Peleus and Thetis.
In the 17th century this vase was known as the "Barberini Vase," but when it was purchased by the Dowager Duchess of Portland around 1785, the name was changed to honor its new owner. In 1786, the vase was lent to Josiah Wedgwood, who copied it in his famous Jasperware pottery, and his vase is now used as a symbol of that company in what is called the "Portland Vase Mark," which was first used by Wedgwood about 1878.
Other English Staffordshire potters made "copies" of the Portland Vase, and the piece belonging to G.R. has a rendering of the design in golden brown on a sky blue or turquoise background. These colors are, of course, much different from those found on the original Portland Vase, and the shape is much different because the Roman piece had handles and was modeled on the form of a Greek amphora.
All this means that the name "Portland" found on the vase in today's question is a pattern name and nothing more. But what about the diamond shaped device with the circle on top that is located just below that name? This is the English registry mark that was in use in two different versions from 1843 to 1883, and the example found on G.R.'s vase is from the first period, which ended in 1867.
This mark signifies that this design was registered with the English patent office and was protected from being copied for a period of three years. The letter found in the top point of the diamond is either a "C" or an "O" — if it is a "C" this design was registered in 1844, but if it is an "O," it was registered in 1862. (We believe that the letter is a "C" but cannot be absolutely sure from the photograph.)
Unfortunately, this does not tell us who the maker is, although this could probably be determined from the records of the Patent Office in London. We can, however, say that this is a "Pratt-type" transfer print, and the piece may have been made by F. & R. Pratt & Co., which was located on High Street in Fenton, Staffordshire, England, from 1818 to the 1920s, when they were acquired by Cauldon Potteries.
Other companies made this sort of ware, but Pratt is a strong possibility for the maker of this particular vase. In any event, at almost 2 feet tall, this is a major piece of Pratt-type transfer printed earthenware, and its insurance replacement value in tip top condition is between $1,500 and $2,000.
Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of the "Price It Yourself" (HarperResource, $19.95). Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.
