Johnson Bros. (England) ceramics

Johnson Brothers was a British tableware manufacturer and exporter that was noted for its early introduction of "semi-porcelain" tableware. It was among the most successful Staffordshire potteries which produced tableware, much of it exported to the United States, from the 1890s through to the 1960s. They were also important manufacturers of large bathroom ceramics. Some of its designs, such as "Eternal Beau", "Dawn", "Old Britain Castles" and "Historic America", achieved widespread popularity and are still collected today.

The company was founded in 1883 by four brothers, Alfred, Frederick, Henry and Robert Johnson. Their father married the daughter of a master potter, Alfred Meakin. In 1883, Alfred and Frederick Johnson began production at a defunct pottery, known as the Charles Street Works, that they had purchased at a bankruptcy sale in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. At first, they specialised in the manufacture of durable earthenware, which they called "White Granite" more... . The success of this venture led to rapid expansion. In 1888, the Reverend Henry Johnson joined the business and the company's name was changed to Johnson Brothers.

In the early 1900s, Johnson Brothers began to produce a wider range of tableware, including fine china and bone china. They also introduced a number of innovative new designs, such as their "Eternal Beau" pattern, which was first introduced in 1905. This pattern was an instant success and is still one of the most popular Johnson Brothers designs today.

During the Second World War, Johnson Brothers' production was focused on making utilitarian items, such as bomb craters and gas masks. However, after the war, the company returned to producing tableware and other decorative ceramics. In the 1950s and 1960s, Johnson Brothers continued to be a major player in the British tableware market. They produced a wide range of popular designs, including "Dawn", "Old Britain Castles" and "Historic America".

In 1968, Johnson Brothers was acquired by the Wedgwood Group. The company continued to operate under the Johnson Brothers name for a number of years, but its production gradually declined. In 2003, the manufacture of Johnson Brothers tableware ceased in the UK and was transferred to China. The Johnson Brothers brand name is still owned by the Wedgwood Group, but it is no longer used for the production of tableware. less...