Gilded Cross Stitch - Hollinshead & Kirkham Ltd.

Name: Hollinshead & Kirkham Ltd " Gilded Cross Stitch"
 
Type: Cake Lifter and Jug
 
Year: Circa 1930s–1940s.
 
Set: Yes (Cake Lifter and Jug)
 
Mark: Hollinshead & Kirkham Ltd.  - Hollinshead & Kirkham Ltd. (H&K), Tunstall, Staffordshire, England.
 
History: This porcelain cream jug and cake slice set is a decorative example of English pottery bearing the hallmark of Hollinshead & Kirkham (H&K), Tunstall, a Staffordshire pottery known for richly decorated wares in the early 20th century. The jug features an angular handle with gilded accents, and the matching cake slice exhibits a distinct trapezoidal serving end, both heavily decorated with floral transfer designs resembling cross-stitch embroidery.
 
 
The pattern is a faux needlepoint floral motif of pansies, tulips, and similar garden blooms, overlaid on an ornate gilded ground of lacy loops and floral clusters. This style mimics cross-stitch textiles in printed ceramic form, a novelty aesthetic popular in the interwar and postwar decades. The pattern is typically identified as part of H&K’s “Old English” series, frequently appearing on novelty giftware and table accents.
 
 
Circa 1930s–1940s. The green printed backstamp featuring the deer-like figure and “H&K TUNSTALL” corresponds with H&K's marks in use between 1912–1952, with this particular floral pixelated pattern aligning with the later 1930s–40s. The cake server includes the hand-painted pattern name “Old English Sprays” and registration number N3777, supporting this dating.
 
 
Hollinshead & Kirkham Ltd. (H&K), Tunstall, Staffordshire, England.
 
 
This pottery firm operated from the late 19th century until it was absorbed in the mid-20th century, producing a wide range of decorative earthenware and porcelain, with many floral and novelty designs for domestic and export markets.
 
 
The estimated value of these items are approximately $45–$60 USD for the creamer, and $55–$70 USD for the cake server, depending on condition. As a set, they may fetch around $90–$120 USD from collectors of novelty Staffordshire ware or floral porcelain.
 
 
This charming set exemplifies a nostalgic English decorative style combining traditional floral motifs with innovative surface printing techniques—here, the pixelated floral transfers simulate embroidery, likely appealing to domestic consumers during the 1930s–40s. The jug’s gold floral filigree over creamy porcelain, paired with the similarly styled cake slice, demonstrates H&K’s embrace of accessible luxury—affordable yet ornate, designed for tea-time presentation.
 
 
Condition-wise, both pieces show age-appropriate wear including some gilt loss and crazing, particularly evident on the underside of the cake slice. These signs of age are typical for utilitarian items of the period and do not greatly diminish value unless extensive. The jug has a slight rim nick visible in the final image but retains its handle gilding and floral clarity. The cake server’s hand-painted registration and crisp transfer confirm its authenticity and appeal.
 
 
These pieces would appeal to collectors of English floral ceramics, Art Deco period serveware, or themed cross-stitch decor.
 
Flaws: Crazing present on cake lifter