Collector’s Guide
Hicks & Meigh Stone China: An 1822 Collector’s Guide
Most of what I curate is French. Every so often something English or Central European earns its place too — like this Hicks & Meigh stone china plate, marked and dated to circa 1822, one of the more genuinely collectible pieces to pass through the shop.
History
Who were Hicks & Meigh?
Hicks & Meigh worked out of Shelton, in Hanley, Staffordshire, from 1803 to 1822. They were among the first and most prolific English makers of “stone china” — a dense, durable earthenware body developed in the early 1800s as a sturdy, home-grown alternative to imported Chinese porcelain.
In 1822 the firm became Hicks, Meigh & Johnson, continuing at the Broad Street Works in Shelton until 1835. A piece marked simply “Hicks & Meigh” and dated to 1822 sits right at that boundary — the final year of the original two-man partnership, before Johnson joined.
Reading the marks
What to look for
- A printed, crowned “Real Stone China” mark, often with a Royal Arms motif underglaze.
- The firm name itself: “Hicks & Meigh” pre-dates 1822; “Hicks, Meigh & Johnson” runs from 1822 to 1835 and is the more commonly found version today.
- Floral or chinoiserie-influenced patterns with gilt accents were typical of the period — English stone china often borrowed motifs from Chinese export porcelain, which is part of why it can look at home next to other European finds.
Why this one is scarcer than most Hicks, Meigh & Johnson pieces
The original Hicks & Meigh partnership ran for nineteen years, from 1803 to 1822. What followed — Hicks, Meigh & Johnson — ran for thirteen, from 1822 to 1835, and produced a larger volume of the “Improved Stone China” and Imari-palette wares that turn up most often in the antiques trade today.
A piece dated circa 1822 and marked under the earlier name is, by definition, from right at the close of that first chapter — before the Johnson name was added to the backstamp. That narrower window is what makes it worth a closer look next to the more commonly seen Hicks, Meigh & Johnson pieces.
Value still comes down to the individual piece: how legible the backstamp is, whether the gilt and hand-colouring have held up, and overall condition. I photograph the mark, the glaze, and any wear closely so you can judge it for yourself before buying.
Condition checks
Rim and foot
Check for chips or flea bites along the rim and footring, where stone china takes the most handling wear.
Hairlines
Hold the piece to light and look across the glaze for fine cracks, which reduce value more than surface crazing does.
Crazing
Fine glaze crazing is normal at this age and is part of the character, not a defect — structural cracks are different and always noted.
Gilt and backstamp
Gently worn gilt is expected; a clear, legible backstamp is what collectors look for first.
Frequently asked
Message me on Etsy if you want extra photos of the backstamp or glaze before buying.
What’s the difference between Hicks & Meigh and Hicks, Meigh & Johnson?
Same Shelton, Staffordshire works, different chapters. Hicks & Meigh ran 1803–1822; the firm became Hicks, Meigh & Johnson in 1822 and continued to 1835. The earlier name is the rarer one to find.
Is Hicks & Meigh stone china valuable?
It depends on the individual piece — backstamp clarity, condition, and completeness all matter. I price based on what I can see and document, not a blanket rule.
Is it usable, or display only?
Stone china is sturdy by design, but on a piece this age I’d treat it as a display or occasional-use item and hand-wash only — no dishwasher, no sudden temperature changes.
Do you carry other English or European pieces?
Occasionally. The collection is mostly French, sourced around the Dordogne, but I keep an eye out for exceptional English and Central European finds too. Browse the full tableware collection or the full catalog to see what’s currently in stock.
Shop tableware
French farmhouse pieces alongside the occasional rare English or European find. Listings update as soon as they go live on Etsy.
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