Minton of Stoke – Relief-Moulded Wares Design Numbers

Dick Henrywood

The famous Minton firm of Stoke produced a wide range of sprigged and relief-moulded jugs and other wares from 1830 through to at least 1879. Twenty-nine different designs are recorded below and the firm used a numbering system which covered most of them. Originally the numbers appeared on a moulded scrollmark along with the cursive inital M, but this was eventually discontinued in favour of a simple impressed number. They indicate not only the main design but also variations in colouring. The firm did not normally title these wares, the only exceptions being "The Two Drivers" and "Waverley" (and the two "Society of Arts" designs), so titles have been adopted, where appropriate preferring names already in circulation. This is very much a work in progress and changes will be incorporated as new information becomes available. It is also intended to add images although that will take time. Contributions of new or amended information and (particularly) good images would be very welcome. Numbers recorded to date include:

An asterisk (*) indicates information that has not been confirmed.

Designs by name:

Bacchanalian Cherubs Registered 20 March 1845 Numbers: 228, 229
Band of Flowers Numbers: 72
Band of Rings Numbers: 202
Barrel with Grapevine A very similar jug without the sprigging and with a different handle was made by William Ridgway, Son & Co. Numbers: 159
Bird and Ivy Registered 17 November 1849 Hughes states known with vivid pink ground. Numbers: 376, 379
Bulbous Flutes Numbers: 71
Buttercup Registered 14 May 1855 Hughes calls it Twining Flowers. Numbers: 513, 519
Cherubs Registered 8 May 1845 Also made at Bennington. Numbers: 329, 364
Cherubs with Goats Numbers: 282
Climbing Ivy Registered 22 November 1845 Numbers: 259, 260, 312
Dunmow Flitch Hughes calls it The Wedding Numbers: 120, 130, 134
Flutes with Grapevine       Number 1
Foliage Sprigged       Number 48
Grapevine Sprigged. Numbers: 3, 7, 8, 10
Harvest Wreath “Society of Arts” Registered 26 May 1846 Known with a ceramic cover. The enamelled version has pattern number 9998. Hughes calls it Fruits and Wheat. Numbers: 268, 277, 316
Holly and Mistletoe Registered 16 January 1863 Numbers 575
Hop Jug Registered 14 May 1847 Designed by Henry Townsend. Numbers:
Hops Registered 21 November 1848 Numbers: 323, 324, 328
Ivy Registered 3 September 1852 Numbers: 434, 475
Lotus Numbers: 332
Octagonal, Mask Spout Registered 2 March 1846 (incorrectly marked 1845) Numbers: 263
Pineapple Registered 5 October 1858 Numbers: 504, 538
Prunus Moulded       Numbers: 239
Prunus Sprigged       Numbers: 54, 59
Pumpkin Numbers: 93
Ribbed Registered 5 June 1852 Numbers: 464
Roses Numbers: 261
Running Plants over Flutes Registered 9 February 1857 Numbers: 530
Silenus Also made by Minton & Boyle in “English Porcelain” (see Henrywood BJ for details) Numbers: 16, 18, 19, 235, 245, 264
“Society of Arts” Registered 26 May 1846 Hughes calls it “Vintage“. Numbers: 269, 274, 301, 302, 306
Spirals with Ferns Registered 23 July 1852 Numbers: 436 or 486, 473, 510 Probably one number misread?
Squirrels and Butterflies Numbers: 293, 296, 363
Stiff Leaves Numbers: 94
Stylised Grapes and Scrolls Numbers: 479, 480
Ten Panels Numbers: 452 *
“The Two Drivers” Numbers: 334, 335, 336, 337
Twining Handle Registered 25 October 1859 Numbers: 549, 550, 551
Vertical Leaves         Registered 23 January 1856 Numbers: 526
Water Lily Covered bowl and stand (not a jug) Numbers: 288
“Waverley” Numbers: 91, 95

Index of Registration dates

Other dates not yet fully identified:

29 October 1860
6 January 1865 (leaves with bulbous fluted neck)
7 April 1875 (acorn shape)
21 November 1879
16 September 1852 (majolica)
23 July 1852 (majolica)

With thanks to everyone who has contributed information, and particularly for images included above:

Neville Barker; Jean Louise Brogden; Ken Carter; Joan Cowan; Howard Crane; Jessica Davies; Pamela Fields; Helen Hallesey; Dick Henrywood; Leslie LeFevre-Stratton; Guy Loveday; Jim McAuliffe; Philip Mernick; Nathalie O'Neill; Paul Rosenberg (Moorabool Antique Galleries); Patrick Rowe; Steve White (Penllyn Collectables); Sheila Wylie; Dreweatt-Neate, Newbury.

Page created 12 August 2020. Last updated 29 November 2023.

Potential contributions to this page and The Transferware Recorder or the Recorder News would always be welcome. Please contact us.