Goodrich Castle

Name: Goodrich Castle
 
Type: Gravy Boat
 
Year: Circa 1921–1940.
 
Set: No
 
Mark: Unknown - Made in England
 
History: This is an English transferware porcelain gravy boat, decorated in cobalt blue with historical castle scenes. The molded base bears an impressed “MADE IN ENGLAND” mark, indicative of early to mid-20th-century Staffordshire production. Though the exact maker is unidentified, the style and execution suggest a connection with known Staffordshire potteries such as Enoch Wedgwood or J&G Meakin, both of which produced similar wares for the export market.
 
 
The gravy boat is decorated with transfer-printed scenes labeled "Goodrich Castle 1775" and "Dunstanburgh Castle 1792", framed by ornate floral and geometric cartouches in a rich cobalt blue. The romanticized landscape and architectural depictions are characteristic of 19th-century revival styles still popular well into the early 20th century.
 
 
Circa 1921–1940. The use of "Made in England" without a specific maker's name places it post-1921, when country of origin markings became mandatory under the McKinley Tariff Act amendments and continued into the interwar period.
 
 
Unmarked beyond “Made in England,” though almost certainly Staffordshire origin. The body, footed base, and handle style are consistent with wares from potteries in the region. Without a printed mark, attribution to a specific maker remains speculative.
 
 
$5–10 due to heavy damage. In good condition, such an item would typically fetch $25–35 on the current decorative antiques market.
 
 
While this gravy boat displays the desirable elements of early 20th-century English transferware—picturesque scenes, deep blue decoration, and attractive molded form—it has suffered significant structural damage. Large cracks have been glued and visibly filled along the base, side, and handle, with staining and adhesive remnants evident both internally and externally. These repairs are extensive enough to compromise both aesthetic and functional value. Despite this, the piece still holds some merit for historical interest or decorative display, especially for collectors of castle-themed wares or those researching British architectural transferware themes.
 
Flaws: Big crack through the middle, extensively restored