Earthenware manufacturer at Commerce Street Works, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England

• The Commerce Street works were purchased c.1869 by John Aysley (who was already established as a china manufacturer) for the benefit of his son Herbert James Aynsley. 

• By 1886 the partners were John Aynsley, Joseph Chew, and William Oswald Deakin - Deakin retired in January 1886

• By 1896 the partners were John Aynsley, Joseph Chew the elder, Frederick John Ridgway, Joseph Aynsley and John Chew - John Aynsley retired in January 1896. John Chew retired in October 1900. 

• By 1914 the partners were Frederick John Ridgway and Joseph Aynsley - Joseph Aynsley retired in July 1914 and F R Ridgway continued the management of the company until his death in 1939.

• In 1932 the company was incorporated as a Limited Company. 

• The Commerce Street Works were vacated from 1941-45 under the Wartime Concentration Scheme but continued to operate from the Empire Works. 

• In 1952 the business was acquired by Rudolph Asher Ltd. - a London based shipping business - througout all the changes in management and ownership the company continued to trade as H Aynsley & Co. 

• The business continued to post 1970 - a 1971 advert lists the company's products as - "domestic tableware, fancies, teapots, souvenirs and hotel and catering ware". 

Commerce Works, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent

Cake plates and trowels are produced in a large variety of both contemporary and traditional designs. 

The range of mounted ware comprises 3-tier plates, 2-tier plates, fruit bowls with clip handles and spoons, comport stands and numerous other items in many different designs. 

the registration diamond shows that this design was first registered on the 
25th September 1875

2-tier cake plates in a traditional design