It is depressing to have to revisit this topic but it does not seem to be documented elsewhere. I believe
it is a worthwhile since there always seems to be one or more examples on ebay at
present.
This content is copied from my now deleted website which means that some readers may have seen all this before. However, there will be newcomers who might benefit from it being republished.
Items of pottery with backstamps similar to the ones pictured above are still circulating. These marks are composites of backstamps used by AG Richardson Crown Ducal Ware and HJ Wood Bursley Ware. Pottery with these types of backstamps are believed to be of modern manufacture. If you find them attractive then fair enough - but note that they are not the work of Charlotte Rhead, (1885-1947).
Below are examples of fakes/reproductions that carry these base marks. My apologies for the poor image quality but the pictures are from 15 years ago - however the same pots are doing the rounds today.
Most alarming is that fakes of pattern 4921 - Golden Leaves, have appeared on shapes 207 and 243, as well as more modern shapes. They look to be examples of the real thing, but if you check the backstamp markings and it includes a transfer “Charlotte Rhead” signature you will know it is a reproduction. Also the chargers are only 11.5” in diameter. Pattern 4921 - Golden Leaves is thought to be the only Rhead design that has been reproduced and so is the most likely to catch people out - but the items are moulded not tube-lined. All the other fakes/reproductions don't look anything like Crown Ducal Rhead designs or even Crown Ducal shapes and of course the raised decoration is moulded not tube-lined.
The history of how these items with Charlotte Rhead signatures came about was documented in an article by the Maine Antique Digest back in 2004 but is not visible online now so here is a screen capture from then. It should be readable if you enlarge the jpg file.
This content is copied from my now deleted website which means that some readers may have seen all this before. However, there will be newcomers who might benefit from it being republished.
 |
| Basemarks found on reproductions |
Items of pottery with backstamps similar to the ones pictured above are still circulating. These marks are composites of backstamps used by AG Richardson Crown Ducal Ware and HJ Wood Bursley Ware. Pottery with these types of backstamps are believed to be of modern manufacture. If you find them attractive then fair enough - but note that they are not the work of Charlotte Rhead, (1885-1947).
Below are examples of fakes/reproductions that carry these base marks. My apologies for the poor image quality but the pictures are from 15 years ago - however the same pots are doing the rounds today.
 |
| Examples of fake/reproduction pots bearing Rhead/Crown Ducal base marks |
Most alarming is that fakes of pattern 4921 - Golden Leaves, have appeared on shapes 207 and 243, as well as more modern shapes. They look to be examples of the real thing, but if you check the backstamp markings and it includes a transfer “Charlotte Rhead” signature you will know it is a reproduction. Also the chargers are only 11.5” in diameter. Pattern 4921 - Golden Leaves is thought to be the only Rhead design that has been reproduced and so is the most likely to catch people out - but the items are moulded not tube-lined. All the other fakes/reproductions don't look anything like Crown Ducal Rhead designs or even Crown Ducal shapes and of course the raised decoration is moulded not tube-lined.
 |
| Shapes seen faked with pattern 4921 - Golden Leaves |
The history of how these items with Charlotte Rhead signatures came about was documented in an article by the Maine Antique Digest back in 2004 but is not visible online now so here is a screen capture from then. It should be readable if you enlarge the jpg file.
 |
| Text from Maine Antique Digest |
If you want to be really depressed here is a link to a web archived page of the vendor of these "reproductions" from 2004.
http://web.archive.org/web/20040628224243/http://www.lynostrading.co.uk/artdeco4.htm
At the bottom of the page you will see a 11.5" "charger stamped with original Charlotte Rhead Crown Ducal mark. Very very collectable"
Well, let's hope not.