Richard Vernon Wildblood






 

Location and period of operation:

Richard Vernon Wildblood

Longton

Dec 1886

1888

  

China manufacturers at the Peel Works, Stafford Street, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England

 

Richard Vernon Wildblood was associated with the Peel Pottery through a sequence of closely linked trading styles spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

He first appears in partnership as Massey, Wildblood & Co, before the business continued under his own name as Richard Vernon Wildblood, and was subsequently reconstituted as Wildblood & Heath. 

This final partnership, established in 1889, marked a more formalised phase of manufacture at the Peel Works, Longton, and later evolved into Wildblood, Heath & Sons. 

The progression of these styles reflects continuity of enterprise under Wildblood’s direction rather than separate unrelated concerns, with the Peel Works remaining the consistent manufacturing base throughout these changes.

 

Formerly: Massey, Wildblood & Co

Subsequently: Wildblood & Heath

 



Royal Crown Derby
R.V.W
W. & H.
W. H. & S.
L
Contemporary Royal Crown Derby crown mark Richard Vernon Wildblood 
Dec 1886-1888		 Wildblood & Heath 
1889-1899		 Wildblood, Heath & Sons
1899-1927

NOTE: Despite similarities in marks and decoration, the Wildblood partnerships had no connection with Royal Crown Derby.

Mark shown for comparison 

This style of mark is often found on Imari-style wares from the Peel Works. The crown above the initials with a stylized line was introduced by Wildblood and then continued through the later trading styles, including Wildblood & Heath and Wildblood, Heath & Sons. 

Its resemblance to the contemporary Royal Crown Derby crown mark was almost certainly intentional, reflecting the widespread Staffordshire practice of adopting prestigious-looking backstamps that echoed the style and perceived quality of leading manufacturers. 

Despite the similarity in appearance and decoration, these wares were produced at the Peel Pottery, Longton, and are distinct from Royal Crown Derby products.

 

 

 

This trio is decorated in the Imari style, characterised by a palette of cobalt blue, iron red and heavy gilt enrichment arranged in dense floral and geometric patterns. The style was widely produced in England during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, following the popularity of Japanese Imari porcelain and its English interpretations.
Although the design closely resembles the well-known “Old Imari” pattern 1128 associated with Royal Crown Derby, the R.V.W. mark confirms manufacture by Richard Vernon Wildblood at the Peel Pottery, Longton.
Pieces of this type are often mistaken for Royal Crown Derby, as several Staffordshire potteries produced Imari-inspired wares in very similar decorative schemes for the same market. While Derby’s 1128 pattern remains the most recognised example, firms such as Wildblood & Heath also produced high-quality interpretations aimed at the same decorative taste.


R. V. W.

printed mark with a crown above

 

 

 

 

 


Image source: eBay (online marketplace listing) 

 

 


Trio in the Imari style Rococo pattern

"A printed design comprising three shaped panels with leafy shoots and foliate scrolls, each panel sprouting a trailing and branching leafy and floral shoot"
R. V. W.

printed mark with a crown above

Rococo 
Rd No 172890

Image source: WorthPoint database 

This trio bears the RVW crown/initial mark used by Richard Vernon Wildblood (c.1886–1888), however the registered design number (No. 172890, 13 June 1891) relates to the later Wildblood & Heath partnership at Peel Works, Longton. 

This suggests continued use or transfer of earlier stock patterns or tooling into the subsequent firm, with the design formally registered after the original marking period.

 

 

 

The Peel Pottery

 



See the history and occupiers of the Peel Pottery

 

Questions, comments, contributions? email: Steve Birks

 

 


Page History:

  • Page created: 15 May 2026