Short History of Canadian Heraldic China

Heraldic china, mainly miniature china, is widely collected in England and has been popularized through the works of Nicholas and Lynda Pine and Sandy Andrews and by the Goss and Crested China Club and the Goss Collector's Club. The lack of Canadian content in these English publications clearly demonstrates that only a fraction of what was produced for Canada has come to light. In fact, the only English company for which the Canadian production is well documented is Goss.

Over the years, some members of the Heraldry Society of Canada have collected a few items they chanced upon, but the only collection representative of the phenomenon as a whole is the one we have put together and documented over a period of twenty years. If the impressive number of items produced for the Canadian market is little known in England, it is hardly better known in Canada. Most dealers come across a number of these pieces, often without knowing too well what they are dealing with, certainly without being aware of the magnitude and scope of the production. While many seasoned dealers can arrive at a fair market value by experience and comparative analysis, they are often weak on dating not being aware of the many changes Canadian coats of arms have undergone over the years. In other cases, prices are unbelievably erratic.

Arms representing Canada, 1868 - 1921.

Official versions of the Arms of Canada from 1921.

Focused collecting offers many advantages, the first one for most collectors being monetary considerations. Other major considerations are storage space, keeping track of the items acquired and documenting them as to physical and historical data as well as pricing, thereby developing the required expertise to collect intelligently. One could for instance acquire Canadian heraldic items relating to specific areas such as royalty, the military, the R.C.M.P., cities, provinces. Other collecting possibilities are offered by  the type of material such as mugs or miniatures or even more specialized areas such as match holders. Whatever area one chooses the amount of items to be collected will prove substantial.

Heraldic experts will find the word "crested" china, which has been popularized in England rather unfortunate, since a crest is a secondary feature of a coat of arms and should not be used for the entire coat of arms. Heraldic china seems a more accurate designation as it can include badges and flags as well as coats of arms. Here the word Canadian rarely means made in Canada since an overwhelming majority of items were made abroad, particularly in the Staffordshire area of England. Canadian therefore refers to the presence of Canadian heraldic insignia in one form or another.

Canadian Heraldic China can be fitted into four distinct periods.   

		I     The 19th Century is characterized by a few advertising pieces, hotel ware, commemoratives and a few  armorial portrait plates by Wallis Gimson.
		II      During the second period from 1900 to 1918, the largest quantity and the best quality miniature souvenirs and heraldic tableware such as tea, table and berry sets were produced by such English companies as Arcadian, Carlton, The Foley China, Frank Beadmore Co. (Sutherland Ware), Goss, Wedgwood, Wood and Son. Souvenir and armorial tableware from Germany and Bohemia were also common.
		III   From 1918 to 1945, many heraldic pieces were made to commemorate Canada’s Diamond Jubilee in 1927, the coronations of  Edward VII and George VI and the royal visit to Canada and the United States of 1939. The production of tableware in the form of coffee or tea sets, small dishes and jugs was continued by such companies as Willow, Paragon and Royal Winton.
		IV  A large number of fine bone china tea services with the arms and tartans of provinces, particularly the Maritime Provinces, were produced since the Second World War by such companies as Adderley, Royal Adderley, Royal Albert, Royal Stafford, Royal Windsor and Elizabethan. Many items were created for royal visits or national events such as Canada's Centennial in 1967, the 21st Olympic games Montreal in 1976 and the patriation of Canada's Constitution in 1982. A number of steins and tankards came from Germany, the United States, England and Ireland made for the military and universities. The badge of the R.C.M.P. also appeared on commemorative ware. Pieces decorated in Canada became more prevalent and a few items were made in Canada by Beauceware and Laurentian Pottery in Quebec and Medalta in Alberta.

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