Moonstone Bomb Vase by Keith Murray

• Etruria - The Etruria Works was one of the ceramics factories opened by Josiah Wedgwood in 1769 on the Ridge House Estate in a district of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, which he named Etruria. The source of the name was from that given to Greek vases which at that time were thought to be from Etruria in Italy, the source of Etruscan ceramics. The factory ran for 180 years, as part of the wider Wedgwood business.
• Dating English Ceramics - Excellent detailed reference books such as Godden's Encyclopaedia of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks will help to identify and date specific manufacturer's marks.
  
  However, there are a few simple guidelines which may also help.
  
  The inclusion of the word 'England' on an item ensured compliance with the American McKinley Tariff Act 1891, which was important for British exporters. An item so marked would have been made after 1891.
  
  In 1921 the act was revised to require the phrase 'Made in' followed by the country. So if an item is marked 'Made in England', it is generally considered to be made after that date, although some manufacturers were using this phrase pior to the act being changed.
  
  The use of the word 'Ltd' of 'Limited' after a company's name indicates a date after 1860, though with ceramic manufacturers this did not become general practice until the 1880's.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Murray, Keith (England) - Wedgwood (England) designers 201
• Wedgwood (England), item types
  • moonstone glaze 34
  • vases and ewers 251