Goss and Other Crested China

William Henry Goss first decorated porcelain with coats of arms in the 1870's and thereby sowed the seeds of a craze which was shortly to sweep Britain. Heraldic porcelain from the Goss factory and dozens of competitors was on sale from 1895 to 1915 and it is estimated that 90 percent of British homes possesed at least one piece during that period. But the trade declined during the First World War and came to an end with the depression of the 1930's. There has been a revival of interest in heraldic porcelain since the early 1970's and it has become popular with collectors. This book tells the story of Goss and his competitors, explores the vast range of pieces produced - and their decorations - and suggests possible themes for the collector, many of which are illustrated.