John Meir & Son
Henry Meir






 

Location and period of operation:

John Meir & Son

Tunstall

1837

1897

 

Earthenware and white ironstone manufacturers at the Greengates Pottery, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, England.
  • John Meir had been producing pottery at the Greengates works from 1812. In 1837 he took his son Henry into partnership with him. Godden notes that "The son was Henry Meir (born c. 1812) who ran the firm for the greater duration." Godden's Guide to Ironstone, Stone and Granite Wares. 

  • John died in April 1844. 

  • In February 1857 two designs were registered as 'Charles Meir carrying on business of an Earthenware Manufacture, under the firm of John Meir and Son' [it is not know what relation Charles Meir was to John]

  • The business continued as 'John Meir & Son' until the closure in 1897 and is recorded as such in a many of directories through the period of operation until 1896. A few directory entries also record the business as 'Henry Meir' and 'Henry Meir & Son' and the 1860 directory notes that Henry Meir succeeded John Meir & Son - however the style of the markings still reflects 'John Meir & Son' 

  • In 1878 Llewellynn Jewitt records: "Greengate Pottery. — Messrs. Henry Meir & Son manufacture earthenware in all the usual services of the more ordinary classes" - The ceramic art of Great Britain... (1878) 

  • Directory entries in 1862 and 1870 record the business as 'manufacturer of general earthenware and grinder of of potters' materials'.  

 

 

Previously: John Meir 

 


 


John Meir & Son
Green Gates Pottery
Tunstall, Staffordshire
(Established 1798)

All kinds of Earthenware suitable for
Home, North and South America, Colonial and Continental Markets

Advert of unknown date
reproduced in Godden's Guide to Ironstone, Stone and Granite Wares

NOTE: The reference 'Established 1798' does not refer to John Meir - who started in 1812
it will likely refer to some time when the pottery was in the hands of the Adams family of potters


 


 

 

typical examples of ware produced: 

 

 


Platter in the Roselle pattern

"Roselle - a pattern produced by John Meir & Son. It was registered in August 1848, and examples are printed in light blue. They are characterised by a border with hanging baskets of flowers in cartouche reserves."  The Dictionary of Blue & White Printed Pottery 1780-1880, Coysh & Henrywood.

This pattern was very popular and was continually produced throughout the companies operation. A full range of dinner and tea ware were available in various mono-colours including blue, green, purple and red. 


Ironstone
Roselle
J. Meir & Son

the British Registration diamond shows that the pattern was registered on the 26th August 1848

 

 

 


later (post 1891) example of a plate in the Roselle pattern

The inclusion of "England" in the mark indicates that the manufacturing date was post 1891


Roselle
J. M. & Son
England

this mark includes the Stafford Knot

 

 

This mark on a platter in the Roselle pattern also has an impressed mark for the Memnon shape.

The Memnon shape was registered on the 4th February 1857.  

 


 

 

 


White ironstone Platter by John Meir & Son in the "Memnon Shape" 

The registration details state: "Proprietor: Charles Meir carrying on business of an Earthenware Manufacture, under the firm of John Meir and Son"

photos courtesy: Tom McKeown


J Meir & Son
Memnon Shape

the British Registration diamond shows that the design was registered on the 4th February 1857


Ironstone China
I.  Meir & Son

both of these impressed and printed marks appear on this platter 

 

 


 


Ironstone Platter by John Meir & Son in the "Washington Shape" 

John Meir & Son
Washington Shape

the British Registration diamond shows that the design was registered on the 3rd November 1863


Stone China
John Meir & Son
Tunstall

sometimes the impressed mark is accompanied by a printed mark incorporating the British Royal Arms 

 


 


blue transferware tureen in the Chinese Temple pattern 

A typical romantic Chinese-style scene with a temple in the foreground

Other manufacturers produce ware with the same pattern (Brameld at the Rockingham Works, Swindon) and with the same pattern name (Everard, Colclough & Townsend).


 Chinese Temple
J M & S

 


 

Initials and marks used on ware for identification:

 

J. M. & S

I. M & S

J. M. & SON

J. MEIR & SON

JOHN MEIR & SON

MEIR & SON

NOTE: "IM" is sometimes used instead of "JM" 
These initials are incorporated in
printed marks - often including the name of the pattern

On some ware there is an impressed mark which 
give the date manufactured.....
11
76
... for November 1876

"ENGLAND" appears on marks from c.1891

 




Ornithology
I. M. & S.
 

Ornithology
J. Meir & Son
 

'Ornithology' was a series of views with various birds in the foreground and trees, mountains, lakes in the background. 

 Marks variously include the manufacturers name in full or the initials 'I. M. & S.'

The incorporation of the 'American Eagle' probably indicates that it was made to appeal to the American market. 

 

 


 


Warranted
Staffordshire
J M & S
 

Warranted
Staffordshire
J Meir & Son
 

Warranted the original 
Staffordshire
J M & S
 

Estevao Busk & Company were importers based in Rio Janeiro

 



May Flower
I M & S
Ironstone

Ironstone
Meir & Son
impressed mark 

May Flower is the pattern name

 


Indian tree
J M & S
Ironstone

Indian Tree is the pattern name


Northern Scenery
J M & S

Northern Scenery was a popular series of patterns based on Scottish views  

 


 


J M & Son

'Bamboo' is the pattern name 


J M & Son
England

'Roselle' is the pattern name 

Later mark used by J Meir & Son - the mark incorporates the pattern name
inside a decorative belt including the Stafford Knot with crown on top 
Marks which include 'ENGLAND' are post 1891

 


 


I Meir & Son
Porcelain Opaque
(impressed)

Pearl White Ironstone
I Meir & Son 
(printed)

the printed mark incorporates the American Eagle
with a Stars & Stripes shield - it was used
on White Ironstone ware for the American market



 



J M & Son
Warranted
(impressed) 

Stone China
John Meir & Son
Tunstall
(printed) 

impressed and printed marks incorporating
the Royal Arms 

fragment found on the island of Great Exuma, the Bahamas

Photo courtesy: Diane Minns  

 


 

 

- click for more on the Greengates Pottery

 


 

John Meir & Sons registered  designs:

The company registered many of their patterns/designs at the British National Archives

The vast majority were registered with 'John Meir and Son' as the proprietor; however two in February 1857 were registered as 'Charles Meir carrying on business of an Earthenware Manufacture, under the firm of John Meir and Son' and in June 1876 one as 'Henry Meir & Son'. 

NOTE: This list is not exhaustive:
 
Date Registered design number Proprietor  Address Subjext
1844 Dec 24 23843 John Meir and Son Tunstall, Staffordshire Plate
1857 Feb 4 108854 Charles Meir carrying on business of an Earthenware Manufacture, under the firm of John Meir and Son. Tunstall, Staffordshire Tea Service
1857 Feb 4 108855 Charles Meir carrying on business of an Earthenware Manufacture, under the firm of John Meir and Son. Tunstall, Staffordshire Tea Service
1860 May 2 128476 John Meir and Son Tunstall, Staffordshire 'not given'
1863 Nov 3 168132 John Meir and Son Green Gates Pottery, Tunstall, Staffordshire 'not given'
1866 Dec 19 205088 John Meir and Son Green Gates Pottery, Tunstall, Staffordshire jug
1867 May 7 207977 John Meir and Son Green Gates Pottery, Tunstall, Staffordshire 'not given'
1869 Jul 6 230739 John Meir and Son Green Gates Pottery, Tunstall, Staffordshire Pattern for a plate
1870 Nov 9 247047 John Meir and Son Green Gates Pottery, Tunstall, Staffordshire 'not given'
1871 May 24 252756 John Meir and Son Green Gates Pottery, Tunstall, Staffordshire Dinner Service
1872 Dec 27 269275 John Meir and Son Green Gates Pottery, Tunstall, Staffordshire Plate Design
1873 Jul 28 274701 John Meir and Son Green Gates Pottery, Tunstall, Staffordshire Plate Design
1874 Jan 23 280010 John Meir and Son Green Gates Pottery, Tunstall, Staffordshire Dish
1875 Dec 6 296644 John Meir and Son Green Gates Pottery, Tunstall, Staffordshire Toilet Set
1876 Jun 15 301254 Henry Meir and Son Greengates, Tunstall, Staffordshire 'not given'
1878 Jul 20 323893 John Meir and Son Green Gates Pottery, Tunstall, Staffordshire 'not given'

 

 


Questions, comments, contributions? email: Steve Birks