Earthenware and porcelain manufacturer at the Dale Hall Works, Longport, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England

• In 1878 James Gildea joined the partnership of Bates and Walker, in 1881 Bates left the partnership and 
  Gildea & Walker continued together, in 1885 Gildea continued the business alone.

• Around 1887 James Gildea retied and the business the business was carried on as Keeling & Co.  

J.G.
Late Mayers 

Bates & Elliot first introduced this kneeling nude potter
mark and it was used by successive owners at the Dale Hall potworks.

LEAF is the pattern name

on this mark

impressed mark on the platter 

IVORY
GILDEA
2/87 

IVORY is the name of the type of body for the ware
2/87 is a month/year date mark - it shows that the ware was made in February 1887

The cross mark is likely to be a workman's mark

This aesthetic style pattern is based on the story Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. It appears to have been a popular pattern and was produced mainly as monochrome transfer-ware.

the registration number 64143 shows that the pattern was registered on the 23rd December 1886

the impressed 4/87 is the month/year 
of manufacture - April 1887 

The date "1790" is not a manufacturing date, it is not even the date of operation of the company who made the ware -  the occupiers of the Dale Hall pottery works used the date "1790" - which was the date the works were first built by Joseph Stubbs.

It was not unusual for potters to try to establish an early date, to try to give their ware some sense of history and value. 

• The wording "LATE MAYERS" refers to Thomas, John & Joshua Mayer who operated from 1843.

• Bates & Elliot first introduced this kneeling nude potter mark and it was used by successive owners at the Dale Hall potworks.