Art and Architecture Collection > Historic Pottery and Porcelain

Background Research: Basic Reference Sources

Encyclopedias
Dictionaries and Handbooks
Bibliographies and Research Guides

Encyclopedias

Cameron, Elisabeth. Encyclopedia of Pottery and Porcelain, 1800-1960. New York: Facts on File, 1986.(Open MPC 86-8645) 
Includes porcelain manufacturers, marks, patterns and artists as well as materials and techniques from the time period. 

Godden, Geoffrey A. Encyclopedia of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks. London: Jenkins, [1964]. (Front MPGO)
Thorough survey of manufacturers’ history, marks and illustrates their characteristic productions. Geographical guide to major pottery centers, covering the period from 1650 to 1964. Extensive bibliography.

Godden, Geoffrey A. Encyclopedia of British Porcelain Manufacturers. London: Barrie & Jenkins, 1988. (Front MPGO 89-24665)
An expanded version of the previous reference work, pottery marks are updated and corrected, and explanations given for how to trace undated manufacturers’ pieces.

Haggar, Reginald George. The Concise Encyclopedia of Continental Pottery and Porcelain. London: Andre Deutsch, 1960. (Front MPG)
A reference work produced for connoisseurs and collectors, the text lists European ceramic manufacturers, their characteristic products, marks, dates, technical processes, and artists.

Kowalsky, Arnold A. Encyclopedia of Marks on American, English and European Earthenware, Ironstone, Stoneware, 1780-1980: Makers, Marks and Patterns in Blue and White, Historic Blue, Flow Blue, Mulberry, Romantic Transferware, Tea Leaf, and White Ironstone. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publ., 1999. (Front MPK 00-5595)
A representative example of the recent collector guides that offers great detail on a variety of popular ceramics and their maker marks.

Sotheby’s Concise Encyclopedia of Porcelain. London: Conrad Octopus, 1990. (Open MPC 91-3277)
A quick ready-reference guide to the major ceramic forms and makers. Well illustrated.  

Dictionaries and Handbooks

Boger, Louise Ade. The Dictionary of World Pottery and Porcelain. New York: C. Scribner’s Sons, 1971. (Front MPC)
Dictionary references to terms, people, processes, manufacturing firms, and styles relevant to pottery and porcelain from antiquity to the mid20th century. Illustrates selected maker and manufacturer marks.

Danckert, Ludwig. Handbuch des Europäischen Porzellans. Munich: Prestel-Verlag, 1992. (Front MPK 93-5327)
Well-organized guide to porcelain produced in continental Europe, arranged in survey fashion.

Godden, Geoffrey A. Godden’s Guide to European Porcelain. London: Barrie & Jenkins, 1993. (Front MPG+ 94-1061)
Survey history by theme provides good coverage of the international aspect, issues of fakes and reproductions; and reviews various geographical makers and styles.

Handbook of Pottery and Porcelain Marks. Compiled by J.P. Cushion. London: Faber and Faber, 1996. (Front MPK 98-7533)
Provides maker and manufacturer marks arranged by country.

Haslam, Malcolm. Marks and Monograms of the Modern Movement 1875-1930. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1977. (Front MAO 78-197)
Guide to artist, designer, retailer, and manufacturer marks from the Aesthetic Movement to Art Deco and Style Moderne; section on American and European ceramics.

Wang, Qingzheng. A Dictionary of Chinese Ceramics. Singapore: Sun Tree Publ. Ltd, 2002. (Front *R-Art MPFF+ 92-4717)
English and Chinese text covering shapes and forms; materials and manufacturers; motifs; marks and inscriptions; famous potters. Excellent color illustrations, with specific details on production during Neolithic and dynastic periods. Good bibliography.

Bibliographies and Research Guides

Campbell, James Edward. Pottery and Ceramics: A Guide to Information Sources. Detroit: Gale Research Co., 1978. (MPB 79-621)
A helpful bibliography to older books on the subject.

New York Public Library. List of Works in the New York Public Library Relating to Ceramics and Glass. [New York; s.n., 1908] (3-MAR p.v. 84, no. 2 located in Microforms Division, Room 100)
Provides a useful list to the Art & Architecture Collection’s antiquarian titles.

Strong, Susan R. History of American Ceramics: An Annotated Bibliography. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1983. (MPB 84-3069)
While somewhat dated, still provides an excellent guide to major titles on the subject.