Here we present a fine bone china Phoenix Aynsley Pill / Ring / Trinket Box , delicately hand painted in a striking cobalt blue with a gilt border. The mark has been used by Aynsley and Sons since 1890. Weight:1.6 oz Measurements:2 x 1.60 x 1.25. .....................The Aynsley family have been producing fine bone china since 1775, with the Aynsley brand established by John Aynsley I in 1775, in a small pottery in Lane End, later known as Longton, and Staffordshire. John Aynsley I (1752 to 1829) was the grandfather of John Aynsley II, and a descendant of the Aynsley family that occupied Littleharle Tower Northumberland. John Aynsley I (1752 to 1829) moved to Lane End now called Longton in 1770 at the age of 18, and with help from investments as well as from sheer hard work, sweat and tears he saved up money to set up his own pottery after his training in London as an engraver. He was the first to produce porcelain and Luster Ware at Lane End, which he opened in 1788 on the site of Longton market, and subsequently invested in, and becoming the head of the Fenton Park Colliery in 1790. He was initially known as an enameler - which indicates that he was a decorator rather than a manufacturer at the beginning. It is not known exactly when Aynsley began their own manufacture but records show a maker of earthenware called Aynsley and Company existed in Flint Street, Lane End in 1810. They were the first to specialize in Luster ware, and as the 1929 obituary for John I read: He introduced silver Luster Ware at Lane End, and since 1804, it has been practiced with varied success through the whole of the district. John Aynsley II was born in Union Street, Longton, in 1823, the son of James Aynsley and Charlotte nee Anderson. John Aynsley I son James, had ventured next into the business but with limited success and is thought to have passed in 1841, leaving his son John II, the eldest of 5 children to enter the pottery trade. There then followed many employments with small and large potteries including both Derby ca. 1848, and Minton, with a return to the Potteries in the 1850s, acquiring an interest in Cooper and Co., and working for Sampson Bridgwood, eventually becoming a partner. In 1861 John Aynsley II built the Portland works in Sutherland Road, Longton which is a late version of the classic Pottery style, with archway, Venetian window and pediment-ed gable. His son, John Gerrard Aynsley was born in 1855, and had a lifetime to work with his father, who passed at Portland House, Blythe Bridge, on February 7th 1907. The early production was of decorative china tea wares and soon progressed to breakfast services and dessert wares hand painted and gilded. To this day, Aynsley manufactures in Longton, and Staffordshire, fine bone china tableware and tea ware with luxurious decoration and hand gilding in gold and platinum. Most famous are the gold and platinum etched designs that have been selected by the most discerning clients around the world. We are very grateful to both the aynsley.co.uk, and the Potteries web site for their excellent historical information.

excellent-minor wear