The attribution of the initials D. W. are uncertain. All known examples incorporate the style of the British Royal Arms and the word 'PATENT'. All known examples were made by North Staffordshire potters. 

• D. W. were likely a Russian importer/retailer based in St. Petersburg.  

• Godden comments: "Several printed Royal Arms marks occur with the initials D. W. These initials relate to the retailer (probably foreign). Wares made by Ashworth Brothers and Cork, Edge & Malkin bear these marks and the patterns were registered in the 1860's" 
  Encyclopaedia of British Pottery & Porcelain Marks" Geoffrey A. Godden, 1991

• D K Henrywood noted that he had recorded the D. W. initials on pieces made by Ashworths; Barker & Till; Cork, Edge & Malkin (including a pattern titled “Lion”); Davenport ("Scott’s Illustrations” series); Ford, Challinor & Co.; and Hope & Carter.

c.1868 - 86
the pattern was registered in January 1886 
and the theatre was declared unsafe in 1886

Wikipedia article on Bolshoi Theatre

D.W.
PATENT

printed mark incorporating the Royal Arms
'Theatre' is the pattern name

The registration diamond  shows that the pattern 
was registered on the 10th January 1868

Registered design number: 215705.
Proprietor: Cork, Edge and Malkin.
Address: Burslem, Staffordshire.
Subject: [Design for a plate, showing the Bolshoi Theatre in St Petersburg].
Class 4: earthenware

Comments from on-line seller: 

"G L Ashworth and Brothers earthenware purple transfer printed 10 3/4 inch plate dating to c1865. Decorated with a classical Roman scene and with vignettes around the rim of amphorae or urns. Stamped to the reverse DW together with the Royal Arms and the Staffordshire Knot."

Photos source: Rebecca Russell

D.W.
PATENT

printed mark incorporating the Royal Arms and the Stafford Knot

Comments from on-line seller: 

"Ashworth Bros St Petersburg Green Transferware Deep Plate / Rimmed Soup BowlNice ironstone deep plate / rimmed soup bowl in the St Petersburg pattern in dark green transfer. Marked on the reverse fanciful take-off on the English registry diamond with the letters SF DW R above DW Patent St Petersburg. Listed in the Transferware Collectors Club Database as maker unknown; however, another plate has recently sold online with an Ashworth Bros mark. Circa 1840 to 1860s."

Photos source: Worthpoint

printed mark incorporates a faux Registration Diamond and the Royal Arms 

 

 

 

view of the Moscow Triumphal Gate in St. Petersburg
- Wikipedia article -

Comments from on-line seller: 

"This mauve transferware plate was possibly made by Ashworth around 1860. It shows a scene of a triumphal Arch with a title in cyrillic letters, part of which reads `Petersburg`. The plate is 8.5 inches across and has an anthemion design border. The back stamp...  shows a Royal Coat of Arms with initials DW. The DW probably relates to the retailer. Ashworths produced ware for a retailer in Odessa and this plate seems to fit into this category."

Photos source: Worthpoint

printed mark incorporating the Royal Arms 

the used of the name 'ETRURIA' in uncertain - perhaps trying to associate the manufacturer with Josiah Wedgwood & Sons.

 

 

 

- Wikipedia Article - 

Design for a plate, showing scene from Odessa, Ukraine

Photos source: Worthpoint

The Registration Diamond a date of 24th October 1867 for the pattern registration - however this entry in the National Archives is for "Ford, Challoner (sic) and Company, Sandyford Pottery, Tunstall, Potteries, Staffordshire. Design for a plate, showing scene from Odessa, Ukraine". 

There is an impressed mark which appears to be 3.79 - possibly the month/year of manufacturer. 

Possibly Hope & Carter purchased the pattern from  Ford & Challinor when they closed in 1879/80.