Johnson Bros Covered Vegetable Dish 10 2024 x 7-1/2"

The Meakin lineage produced some of the finest English china. It also produced two talented grandchildren who founded what is now one of the finest of porcelain lines; Johnson Bros.
Founded in 1882 by Alfred and Frederick Johnson, they purchased the bankrupt Charles Street Works factory in Hanley and proceeded to produce what they called "White Granite." They used the term semi-porcelain (technically impossible but a great line to build a new kind of pottery) to describe a durable earthenware that had the look of fine china, but with the strength of ironstone.
In 1888, they were joined by their brother, Henry, and added Transferware to their line.(Transferware was a technique whereby a stencil was used for the design and blue was the predominant color used, although any color could actually work.)
Around 1896, the fourth Johnson brother,Robert, joined the firm. Their greatest market was America as the product was durable, beautiful, and for the most part, inexpensive.
As the First World War progressed, the production of china decreased significantly due to increased cost in not only supplies but also heavier taxes.
After the war ended, a new type of clay was introduced called "Dawn."
In the 30's the original Hanley Street factory closed and new technology included the use of electricity in their kilns. This resulted in lower prices, better quality and improved working conditions.
World War II saw 2024 the Johnson Bros. production almost grind to a halt. During this period the shipments to the U.S. was the only revenue of significant amounts that kept the company afloat. However, after the war, business boomed with factories in Australia and Canada opening.
Royal Warrants were given by the Queen in the 50's(Purchase orders in lay terms)
By the sixties, change in taste and competition from all areas of the world added to spiraling production costs . To save their company, they, along with Meakin, Coalport, Adams,Masons and Crown Staffordshire, joined the Wedgwood group. In 2000, their production facility was moved to the old Meakin factory.
Closures of factories and decreasing work force with competitive pricing forced the Johnson Brothers to close their English factories and move production to China. Needless to say, the end of the era of high quality English china was over.Production costs were 70% lower in China. They remained in China until they were purchased along with the other companies in the Wedgwood group to Fiskars, a conglomerate and chose to close Johnson Brothers permanently.
This vegetable dish, 10 x 7-1/2 has no chips or cracks.