China and Earthenware manufacturer in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England

Barker Bros were in operation in the pottery town of Longton for over 100 years from 1876 to 1981. 

They produced a wide range of high-quality, affordable decorative ceramics including tableware, tea sets, vases, and decorative pieces, showcasing both utility and artistry. Lines such as "Tripoli" and "Royal Tudor Ware" became especially popular.

Barker Bros were known for embracing Art Deco and modernist styles, especially during the 1920s and 1930s. Their designs stood out for their bold geometric patterns, stylish lines, and vibrant colour palettes. 

• From 1876 to 1880/82 they operated at Gold Street, Longton.

• In 1882 the business was moved to the Meir Works, Barker Street, off High Street (now Uttoxeter Road), Longton. 

• They became a limited company in 1882.

• In 1910 the business was bought by the brothers William and Arthur Hewitt. The name 'Barker Bros' continued to be used. 

• In 1939 Sampson Smith's was also purchased by the Hewitt brothers. Gerald Hewitt directed Sampson Smith's & Arnold Hewitt, Barker Bros. 

• Under the Wartime Concentration Scheme from 1941 to 1945 production of both companies was concentrated at the Barker Bros Meir Works, Longton. An internal concentration took place with Sampson Smith, Longton, both companies continuing production at Meir Works. Sampson Smith's works were cleared releasing the factory for use by Hammersley & Co. (Longton) Ltd whose Alsager Pottery was put at the disposal of Government.  

• 1959 Barker Bros was taken over by Alfred Clough Ltd. and operated as a subsidiary. 

• In 1960 the management was listed as: Chairman & Joint Managing Director: Alfred Clough; Joint Managing Directors: A. E. Clough and A. R. Clough; General Manager: Arnold Hewitt; Works Manager: H. Salt; Works Directors: H. Baggley and T. Fox; London Director and Representative: J. G. Hewitt. 

• The name Barker Bros continued to be used until the business closed in 1981 following the disposal of some the assets of Grindley of Stoke (Ceramics) Ltd  (who were a successor of Alfred Colclough Ltd) to Federated Potteries Co Ltd.

this pattern is in the Aesthetic style 

this unattributed mark could 
belong to Barker Bros
c.1876-82 

Crested china collecting became a craze in Victorian and Edwardian times when day trippers bought small porcelain ornaments decorated with the coat of arms of the locality to take home as a souvenir.

Barker Bros. manufactured crested china under the name "Meir Arms China" - it is not known when they started production but manufacture had generally declined in the 1930s and was stopped in the time of the Second World War.  

Original Handpainted Ware
Arabesque by John Guildford
Barker Bros
Longton, Staffs, England

mark on the orange coloured pattern  

Barker Bros, England
mark on the yellow/cream variation

variations of the Arabesque pattern 

John Guildford's 'Arabesque' pattern, introduced in the mid-1920s, is a stylised landscape featuring elements like red pyramids and cubist trees set against bright orange (occasionally pale yellow) backgrounds. 
This design is considered a precursor to the Art Deco movement in ceramics, 
predating the more widely recognized works of Clarice Cliff 

John Guildford was a British ceramic designer active during the early 20th century, particularly noted for his contributions to Art Deco pottery. He began his career at Gray’s Pottery in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, where he served as the Design and Decorating Manager until 1922. 
During his time at Gray’s, Guildford's work was featured in the 1920 Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art and the British Institute of Industrial Art Exhibition.

In 1922, Guildford joined Barker Brothers in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, as a decorator and designer. Here he created some of his most renowned designs, including the 'Arabesque' and 'The Storm' patterns. These designs are characterized by vibrant colors and geometric motifs, hallmarks of the Art Deco style. 

Guildford's name was incorporated into many of the factory marks on these pieces, a practice also seen with contemporaries like Clarice Cliff and Susie Cooper.​

  this style of mark
c.1930-37

Around 1930 Barker Bros developed a technique to produce a marbled effect probably achieved by swirling different coloured glazes together before firing. This technique results in a unique pattern on each piece, making them one-of-a-kind.

Ware produced in this style was marked 'Patent 2063'.

A range based on this technique was marketed as "Replica of Egyptian Lusterine Glazes 4000 yrs B.C. from excavations in 1891 at Tell-El-Amarna" (Amarna is an extensive ancient Egyptian archaeological site)

Replica of 
Egyptian Lusterine Glazes
4000 yrs B.C.
from excavations in 1891
at Tell-El-Amarna

Barker Bros Ltd
Meir Works, Longton

Patent 2063

Barker Bros marbled glaze vase

Barker Bros Ltd England Patent No. 2063 this style of mark was in use c.1930-37

photos courtesy: Graham Allcock 

photos courtesy: Michael Clode

Coffee set in the Madison pattern - probably introduced in the 1950s -

MADISON Bone White Ironstone  Barker Bros Staffordshire England

Trio in the fiesta pattern  The fiesta pattern was introduced by Barker Bros in the 1960s Influenced by Enid Seeney's 'Homemaker' pattern (1955),  the pattern illustrates the contemporary style in domestic tableware

fiesta  by Barker Bros Royal Tudor Ware Staffordshire England Bone White Ironstone

Barker Bros produced many designs and patterns which had a specific name and back-stamp examples include: Tonga, fiesta, Madison, Tripoli

Tripoli Ware Plate - probably introduced in the 1930s -

Barker Bros Ltd Longton Staffs Tripoli Ware Hand Painted England

photos courtesy: Michael Clode

Coffee set in the Madison pattern - probably introduced in the 1950s -

MADISON Bone White Ironstone  Barker Bros Staffordshire England

Trio in the fiesta pattern  The fiesta pattern was introduced by Barker Bros in the 1960s Influenced by Enid Seeney's 'Homemaker' pattern (1955),  the pattern illustrates the contemporary style in domestic tableware

fiesta  by Barker Bros Royal Tudor Ware Staffordshire England Bone White Ironstone

Barker Bros produced many designs and patterns which had a specific name and back-stamp examples include: Tonga, fiesta, Madison, Tripoli

c.1880+ 

c.1912-30
(but note this mark appears in 
a 1960 trade directory) 

c.1912-30

Barker Bros Ltd
Longton
Made in 
England

mark on a Willow pattern plate
probbly c.1921+

c.1912-30

this mark is c.1921 and onwards because of the addition of "MADE IN ENGLAND" as required by the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 (amended 1921)

c.1930-37

c.1930-37

the Tudor Ware name was introduced c.1937

c.1937+

c.1937 +

(variations of this mark were in constant use - this mark appears in a 1960 trade directory) 

c.1950 +

The registration numbers 863703-4-5 for the 
Richmond Shape indicate that it was first
registerd in 1950

The letter "B" in these two marks indicates that the ware was made under the Wartime Concentration Scheme