Powell & Bishop






 

Location and period of operation:

Powell & Bishop

Hanley

1867

1878

 

China and Earthenware manufacturer at the Stafford Street Works and the Church Works, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. 

  • Founded in 1851 as Livesley, Powell & Co. In 1860 Mr. Livesley left the business which was renamed Powell & Bishop in 1867. 

  • Mr. Frederic Bishop and Mr. James Watson Bishop were the partners. 

  • John Stonier joined the partnership in 1878 which became Powell, Bishop & Stonier

 

Formerly: Livesley Powell & Co [1851-1866]

Subsequently: Powell, Bishop & Stonier [1878-1891]

 

 

 

 


This jug with a vibrant orange ground and monochrome floral transfer, featuring bows and garlands, is typical of the mid-late Victorian era's romantic style. 

The pattern name "MAY" refers to May blossom (Hawthorn), a popular motif during this period. 
P & B

MAY is the pattern name 

 

photos courtesy: Valerie Shearer 

 

 

 

 

 
Plate by Powell & Bishop in the ELSIE pattern

The mark of a winged staff with two serpents twined around it was registered as a trade mark by Powell & Bishop in 1876 and often appeared with the initials P&B below it - the mark was also used by subsequent partnerships.

Caduceus: A winged staff with two serpents twined around it, carried by Hermes (Greek God) it is a symbol of commerce.

 

 

 

 


Pompeii
P & B

Pompeii is the pattern name
the registration diamond shows that the
pattern was first registered on the 10th April 1875

c.1875-78

photos courtesy: Albert Peloso

 

 

 

examples of Powell & Bishop Ironstone ware:

- click for more on Ironstone -

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

Marks & initials used on ware for identification:

P & B

BEST
P & B

POWELL & BISHOP

 

This mark (Caduceus) was registered as a trade mark by Powell & Bishop in 1876 and often appeared with the initials P&B below it - the mark was also used by subsequent partnerships.

Caduceus: A winged staff with two serpents twined around it, carried by Hermes (Greek God) it is a symbol of commerce.

- see Wikipedia article on the Caduceus

 


trade marks of Bishop & Stonier
- the style of the marks were continued by subsequent partnerships -

  ELSIE is the name of the pattern



Ironstone China
Powell & Bishop
Ironstone China
Powell & Bishop
England

Typical printed marks used by Powell & Bishop [1867-1878]

The mark with the addition of "ENGLAND" is unusual as it uses the country of origin before it became mandatory for export to the US in 1891 

explore the use of 'ENGLAND'  »

 



Ironstone China
Powell & Bishop
Hanley
Staffordshire  

Powell & Bishop shard found (2026) in Northern California, US

photo courtesy:  Nathan Blunt

marks incorporating the British Royal Arms

 

 


P&B

AUTUMN is the pattern name
the registration diamond shows that the
pattern was first registered on the 17th March 1874

c.1874-78

 

photo courtesy: Elizabeth Hurrell

 


- click for information on the Stafford Street Works - 

 

Questions, comments, contributions? email: Steve Birks

 

 


Page History:

  • Page created: 23 March 2022

  • Updated: 21 February 2024 - Examples of marks expanded.

  • Updated: 10 February 2026 - Example of jug in the May pattern added.

  • Last updated: 5 May 2026 - Added photo of shard with Royal Arms, found (2026) in Northern California, US