A T Finney and Sons Ltd
Duchess Bone China






 

Location and period of operation:

A T Finney and Sons (Ltd)

Longton

1921

1989

 

Earthenware and bone china manufacturer at the Blue Bell Pottery and later at the Duchess China Works and Blyth Works, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

  • Mr A. T. Finney established his business in 1917 acting as a pottery factor.

  • In 1921 he acquired the Blue Bell Pottery in Longton and started the manufacture of low cost earthenware teacups. 

  • Around 1934 the Duchess China Works, High Street, Longton was purchased and from about 1936 Finney & Sons started manufacture of low priced bone china teawares and 21 piece tea sets. 

  • In 1939, in order to further expand production, the works of nearby Blyth Porcelain Co were acquired after being voluntarily wound up. 

  • A. T. Finney remained open during the Second World War - producing white canteen cups. 

  • In February 1947 the company was incorporated as A. T. Finney & Sons Ltd. and Finney's two sons John R. Finney and A. Thomas (Tom) Finney joined their father in the business. 

  • Around 1960 the Blyth Works was sold to John Tams & Son Ltd.  

  • Towards the end of 1968 a new subsidiary company, A. T. Finney & Sons (Export) Ltd was formed to help with the expansion of overseas business. 

  • The business continued as family concern until 1989 when A. T. Finney was acquired by the newly formed Tams Group. The brand name 'Duchess China' was continued by Tams. 

 

Previously: Blyth Porcelain Co were acquired in 1939

Subsequently: Tams Group [the brand name 'Duchess China' was continued by Tams]     

 

NOTE: Edwards & Brown also used the name 'Duchess China'  (unrelated company)

 

 


Finney's Canteen Cups
They Nest, Save Space and Breakages
For Government Purposes, Canteens, etc
Support the Pioneer of the Cup Industry 

The Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review - April 1944

 

 


Miranda 609
a new design in Duchess bone china

 The Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review - August 1956

 

Typical ware produced by A. T. Finney:

"A. T. Finney was a specialist manufacturer of low-priced teaware for a mass market and the company was a large supplier of hard wearing, stackable earthenware 'canteen cups' during the Second World War. 

Following the purchase of the Duchess China Works (c.1934), bone china teawares and tea sets were manufactured to the same formula - a small number of shapes decorated with conventional patterns - and marketed under the the 'Duchess China' trade name"

A handbook of British Pottery Manufacturers 1900-2010, Michael Perry. 

  

 

     

 Finney & Sons manufactured  low priced bone china teawares 
and 21 piece tea sets under the trade name 'Duchess" bone china 

photos courtesy: Roy Patman

 

 


21 piece tea set in the blue rose pattern 
 (milk jug is missing)  


Duchess 
Bone China
Made in England

1962+ 

 

 

Marks used for identification:

It is uncertain what (if any) mark was used prior to the introduction of the trade name: 'DUCHESS' after A. T. Finney purchased the  Duchess China Works.

In 1989 A. T. Finney was acquired by the newly formed Tams Group. The brand name 'Duchess China' was continued by Tams - there does not appear to have been any change in the Duchess Bone China mark. 

 

 

 

c. 1947-60

1961+ 

1962+ 

 


possibly after 1989 when A. T. Finney was acquired by the newly formed Tams Group.

variations on standard marks - probably introduced in the early 1960s

  


Works operated by T. A. Finney:

 


Blue Bell Pottery

In 1921 T. A. Finney acquired the Blue Bell Pottery and started manufacturing low cost earthenware cups
Duchess China Works

Around 1934 the Duchess China Works was purchased by Finney & Sons - they operated at this works until until 1989 when the Finney was acquired by the newly formed Tams Group. Tams continued to operate the Duchess Works and retained the 'Duchess' trade name
Blyth Pottery  

In 1939 the works of nearby Blyth Porcelain Co were acquired by Finney. These works were sold to John Tams & Son Ltd around 1960. 

 

Questions, comments, contributions? email: Steve Birks