Biscuit jar identification

Hello, I just bought this biscuit jar and am unsure how to go about determining it's history and age based on the maker's mark. I know it's English ironstone, but I don't know how to learn more. How do you guys find out information about items like this?

 

Hi Jeasta,
I think your biscuit jar is an American sugar bowl. If English would not the H.P. Co be H.P. Ltd?
greg

 

Hmmmm maybe so. I thought it was English, but I could be wrong. I'm trying to learn more about this stuff, but I am just starting out.

 

Many English companies use Co or & Co. They also use Ltd. or & Co. Ltd.

That's one of two possibles: Gibsons or Hanley Porcelain. How tall is it?

 

Hi OBB,
Thanks for the clarification on Co.
greg

 

According to Kovels' New Dictionary of Marks:-
"HARKER POTTERY CO.
East Liverpool, OH, U.S.A.
White granite & semiporcelain
1890-ca. 1900 (1890-1972)"

I copied just as I saw it in book, but don't understand the (1890-1972)...maybe they revived the mark in 1972?
Sorry I don't have the ability to photo page to present here, but it is the same mark with bow and arrow, arrow intersecting words "Stone" & "China" and "H.P." and Co

 

Lehner's says this mark (for Harker Pottery of East Liverpool, OH.) is a very early mark (pre-1900).

 

It just means they closed in 1972. It's definitely Harker. Lehner's says this is a very early mark used before 1900.

 

Great minds. Must heat up my coffee.

 

Wow thanks everyone! I will get myself copies of Lehners and Kovels books. Now how do I determine what it was used for? Unfortunately, I can't measure it's height right now, but I can post that later on.

 

Hi,
Late 19th Cent and early 20th Century used huge sugar bowls. It is much too small for biscuit bowls. here it would be cracker bowls and again too small.
greg

 

I have read about sugar not being refined until the 1880s or so and how it was sold in solid cones, but no one has explained what people did to it to get it into a sugar bowl. Just whack it with a hammer? I've seen sugar nips to cut off bits, but how would it all work with a sugar bowl?

 

Hi Janet,
My great gram used to put it through a meat grinder. She had several some for meat some for sugar and some for nuts. It was that time when Domino sugar started making sugar cubes. I have a wonderful sterling little server that held seven sugar cubes.
greg

 

I can picture that a lot easier than a hammer, with those expensive bits flying everywhere.

 

Am I correct in assuming that the "Stone China" on the mark means ironstone?

 

The big old lump sugar bowls had chunks of loaf which had been bashed by a hammer, then used tongs or nips.

I don't think Stone China neccessarily implies ironstone.

 

just cuz i'm in a mood..................

Hello, I just bought this biscuit jar and am unsure how to go about determining it's history and age based on the maker's mark
.& that's why u joined up here...to get the help u need & learn stuff !!

I know it's English ironstone
,Well, now u've learned it's not English...or ironstone..!!

but I don't know how to learn more.
That's what we're here for...to help u find your way thru the tunnel...to get to the light !!

How do you guys find out information about items like this?
Book...books...& more books.....or..we ask our peeps here ....cuz they have lots 'o' Books !!
Also...ya gotta live long enough to gain experience !

I'll just add...nice clear pics.....thank you !!