BACKGROUND:
This tableware was made by a Subsidiary of the well known Johnson Brothers (UK), with the works located in Croydon Queensland and they were in operation from around 1957 until they ceased production in 1980. Known for their durability, this tableware from Sovereign Potteries was very popular in the period 1960 ~ 1980. An interesting feature of this tableware is the rounded corners, almost square shaped dishes and the base of the teacup. Soft cream (non-flecked) base colouring with Red stem roses, finished with Gold guilding.
DLAT Rating: 8/10 (Darling, look at this Australiana!)
JOHNSON BROTHERS (SOVEREIGN POTTERY) - Teacup, Saucer & Side Plate
Every piece is available separately (maximum purchasing flexibility) and as more pieces are purchased, the price is automatically discounted at the checkout area.
Opaque (you cannot see the shadow of your fingers when either piece is held to a bright light i.e this is earthenware not fine chinaware)
Pattern: Unknown name or code
There is no indication on any piece as to the name of this pattern or a coding so my wife just used to call these the "Red Roses"
Hand decorated*
*Looking very closely at the techniques used for the decoration, it has characteristics of hand painting and there are "artist or decorator's marks" present, but that said I can also see dots and considering the period that these pieces were created, I suspect this is a hybrid of hand and transfer decoration.
The graphic design is a simple, two Red single stem roses with the larger flower bud being fully opened compared to the other. More interesting (to us) is the shape used for this trio, instead of the standard round saucer and side plate, sometimes with scalloped edges, these pieces are quite square shaped but with broad rounded corners and the base of the teacup is in a square shaped as well, not rounded. The base colouring is a soft Cream colouring, not bright White and, unlike other pieces from the Sovereign works, there are no speckles.
All pieces have Gold gilding to the outer edge rim only plus down the back of the teacup handle.
All the pieces are pretty "standard" sizes, these being:
TEACUP: 84mm diameter x 70mm height - the handle extends 20mm from the cup body and is generously portioned (most fingers should fit!)
SAUCER: 142mm diameter
SIDE PLATE: 171mm diameter
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
Here is a closeup photograph of the side plate ... the markings on the saucer are similar and the teacup underside has (poorly impressed into the earthenware) MADE IN AUSTRALIA, no Johnson backstamp as such although the artist's mark is present.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Overall, not perfect but in pretty good shape for some good ol' Oz tableware
TEACUP
USED
CLEAN
NO cracks at all
NO discolouration to the Cream base colouring
NO tannin stains inside the teacup
NO chips to the teacup
NO crazing is apparent at all (dry and wet tested)
NO damage or wear to the hand decorations
Gold gilding is in very good condition, I can see practically no wear at all
SAUCER
USED
CLEAN
NO cracks at all
NO discolouration to the Cream base colouring
NO chips to the three saucer
NO crazing is apparent at all (dry and wet tested)
NO damage or wear is apparent to the hand decorations on either side of the saucer
I can see and feel four small flea bites on the underside, these are NOT discoloured (no bacteria has made itself at home here!)
Gold gilding is in good condition, I can see ALMOST no wear at all. Looking closely at the gilding I can see some signs of use (pretty normal quite frankly) but not to the point where the gilding has disappeared! Just very light changes in the colour when looking in the sunlight. Out of 100, I would give this gilding a solid 95
SIDE PLATE
USED
CLEAN
NO cracks to the side plate
NO discolouration to the Cream base colouring on the side plate
NO significant scratching or knife cuts to the central area of the side plate - just a couple of very light scratch marks only.
NO chips to the side plate
NO damage or wear to the hand decorations on either of side of the side plate
Crazing is apparent and is clearly visible, dry or wet, on both the topside and underneath. NO discolouration has occurred because of this crazing, meaning that no dirt/bacteria has gone to live under the glaze!
I can see and feel three small flea bites on the underside, these are NOT discoloured (no bacteria has made itself at home here!)
Gold gilding is in good condition, I can see ALMOST no wear at all. Looking closely at the gilding I can see some signs of use (pretty normal quite frankly) but not to the point where the gilding has disappeared! Just very light changes in the colour when looking in the sunlight. Out of 100, I would give this gilding a solid 95 - very similar condition to the saucer gilding.
Overall, this "Australian" trio from the Johnson Brothers stable is pretty good condition and well worth partaking in a "cuppa session" or two!
