Boasting over a century of British craftsmanship, Beswick pottery has created some of England's most beloved and collectible pottery.
Founded in 1894 in Longton, Staffordshire—the heart of England's pottery industry—the John Beswick factory became renowned for exceptional animal figurines, character pieces, and decorative ceramics that captured the British character with charm and technical skill.
From the iconic Beatrix Potter figurines that delighted generations of children to naturalistic horse models prized by equestrian collectors, Beswick established itself as a hallmark of quality British ceramics.
In this blog, we will explore Beswick Pottery’s history, the company's most celebrated product lines, and guidance for collectors navigating this rewarding area of British ceramics.
The History of Beswick Pottery
James Wright Beswick established his Beswick pottery business in 1894 in Longton, Staffordshire, one of the six towns comprising the Potteries region of England.
The company initially produced a range of utilitarian and decorative ceramics typical of Staffordshire potteries, including tableware, vases, and ornamental items. Following James Wright Beswick's death, his son John Beswick took over the business, and the company became known as John Beswick Ltd.
The direction that would define Beswick's legacy began to emerge in the 1930s, when the company focused more seriously on animal figurines and character pieces. This shift proved prescient, as Beswick's naturalistic approach to animal modelling and attention to anatomical detail set the company apart from competitors. The quality of Beswick's animal models attracted attention from serious collectors, particularly those interested in horses, dogs, and farm animals rendered with both accuracy and artistic merit.
A pivotal moment came in 1947 when Beswick obtained the licence to produce figurines based on Beatrix Potter's beloved children's book characters. The first Beatrix Potter figurine, "Jemima Puddle-Duck," launched in 1948, marking the beginning of one of the most successful character figurine series in British ceramic history.
The Beatrix Potter line combined the nostalgic appeal of the classic tales with Beswick's technical skill in ceramic modelling, creating pieces that appealed to both children and adult collectors.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Beswick expanded its range of character figurines, obtaining licences for other popular properties including Winnie the Pooh and Disney characters. The company's reputation for quality animal models continued to grow, with horse figurines in particular attracting dedicated collectors who appreciated Beswick's attention to breed characteristics and realistic proportions.
Beswick Pottery Today
In 1969, Royal Doulton acquired the Beswick factory, and production continued under the Beswick name as part of the Royal Doulton group. Many Beswick models remained in production, though some were eventually rebranded as Royal Doulton.
The Beswick backstamp continued to appear on pieces until 1989, when Royal Doulton began gradually transitioning Beswick models to Royal Doulton marks. In 2002, production at the original Beswick factory ceased, though some former Beswick models continue to be produced under Royal Doulton or other brands.
Beswick Pottery Product Lines and Collectibles
Beswick's product line encompassed several distinct categories, each with its own dedicated collector following.
Animal Figurines
Beswick's animal figurines represent the company's most significant contribution to British ceramics. The naturalistic approach, careful attention to anatomy and breed characteristics, and quality modelling made Beswick animals the standard against which other ceramic animal figurines were judged.
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Horses: Beswick horse figurines are legendary among equestrian collectors. The company produced models of specific breeds—Thoroughbreds, Shires, Arabs, Clydesdales, and more—each carefully researched and modelled to capture breed standards. Horses appear in various poses from standing to galloping, often with riders or tack. Many models were produced in multiple colourways (glazes), with certain colours being rarer and more valuable than others. Notable Beswick horses include the "Bois Roussel" racehorse, various show jumpers, and working horses.
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Dogs: The company produced an extensive range of dog breed figurines, from tiny Chihuahuas to large Saint Bernards, each modelled to the breed standard. Collectors of specific breeds often seek out Beswick models of "their" breed. Like horses, dogs were produced in various sizes and poses, with some breeds more commonly found than others.
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Farm Animals: Cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, and other farm animals formed a significant part of Beswick's range. These pieces appeal to collectors of rural or agricultural subjects and demonstrate Beswick's skill in rendering the textures and characteristics of different animals.
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Wild Animals: Beswick produced figurines of wild animals, including lions, elephants, deer, and exotic species. These pieces showcase the modellers' ability to capture movement and character in animals beyond domesticated breeds.
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Birds: From common British garden birds to exotic parrots and birds of prey, Beswick's bird figurines demonstrate exceptional attention to plumage detail and characteristic poses.
Beatrix Potter Figurines
The Beatrix Potter series remains Beswick's most famous product line. Launched in 1948, the series eventually included dozens of characters from Potter's beloved tales. Each figurine captures the character's personality and appearance from the original illustrations, rendered in three dimensions with careful painting and attention to detail.
Popular Beatrix Potter Characters:
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Jemima Puddle-Duck (the first figure produced)
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Peter Rabbit
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Benjamin Bunny
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Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle
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Tom Kitten
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Squirrel Nutkin
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Jeremy Fisher
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Hunca Munca
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Mrs. Rabbit
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Foxy Whiskered Gentleman
Variations in backstamps, sizes, and painting styles help collectors date Beatrix Potter pieces. Early examples (1948-1950s) with gold oval backstamps are particularly sought after. Some characters were produced for only short periods, making them rare and valuable. Condition is crucial for Beatrix Potter figurines, as these pieces often served as children's toys and suffered damage.
Character and Licensed Figurines
Beyond Beatrix Potter, Beswick produced figurines based on other literary and entertainment properties:
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Winnie the Pooh: Licensed Disney Winnie the Pooh characters, including Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, and others. These figurines appeal to Disney collectors as well as Beswick enthusiasts.
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Alice in Wonderland: Characters from Lewis Carroll's classic, though produced in smaller numbers than those of Beatrix Potter.
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David Hand's Animaland: A short-lived series based on British animated characters.
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English Country Folk: Beswick's own creation depicting anthropomorphic animals in British country settings, similar in concept to Beatrix Potter but with original Beswick characters.
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Thelwell Ponies: Based on Norman Thelwell's humorous pony and rider cartoons, these pieces capture the comic spirit of the original drawings.
Beswick Figurines and Character Pieces
In addition to animals and licensed characters, Beswick produced human figurines, though these represent a smaller portion of its output than animal models.
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Character Jugs and Toby Jugs: Beswick produced character jugs depicting historical and fictional figures, though these are fewer in number than Royal Doulton's extensive character jug range.
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Decorative Figurines: Various decorative pieces, including ladies, historical figures, and ornamental subjects.
Tableware and Decorative Items
Beswick produced dinnerware, vases, wall plaques, and other decorative ceramics throughout its history. While less actively collected than figurines and animals, Beswick tableware demonstrates the company's breadth of production. Some decorative vases and ornamental pieces, particularly those from the Art Deco period, attract collector interest.
Identifying and Dating Beswick Pottery
Authentication and dating of Beswick ceramics requires examining backstamps, model numbers, and quality characteristics.
Beswick Backstamps
Beswick used various backstamps throughout its history, and these marks help date pieces:
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Early Marks (1894-1930s): Early Beswick pieces may bear simple impressed marks reading "Beswick" or "Beswick England." These early marks appear on tableware and decorative items from before the company's focus on animal figurines.
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Standard Backstamp (1930s-1969): The most common pre-Royal Doulton mark features "Beswick England" arranged in a circle, often with "Made in England" included. This mark appears on the majority of collectible Beswick animal figurines and Beatrix Potter pieces produced before the Royal Doulton acquisition.
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Gold Oval/Circle Backstamps: Early Beatrix Potter figurines (1948-early 1950s) often feature a gold oval or circular backstamp with "Beswick England" and copyright information. These early backstamps indicate first-period production and are highly valued by collectors.
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Post-1969 Marks: After Royal Doulton's acquisition, marks began to incorporate Royal Doulton information while retaining Beswick identification. Marks from this period might read "Beswick England" with "Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd" or similar designations.
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Model Numbers: Beswick assigned model numbers to most figurines and animals, typically impressed or printed on the base along with the backstamp. These numbers (often preceded by "No." or "#") help identify specific models and can be cross-referenced with Beswick catalogues and collector references to determine production dates and variations.
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Copyright and Character Marks: Licensed character pieces include copyright information for the property owner—"© F. Warne & Co" for Beatrix Potter, "© Walt Disney Productions" for Disney characters, etc.
What to Know About Collecting Beswick Pottery
Understanding what makes certain Beswick pieces more valuable helps collectors make informed decisions.
Rarity and Production Periods: Pieces produced for short periods or in limited quantities command higher prices. Early Beatrix Potter figurines, rare colourways of horse models, and discontinued characters often achieve premium prices.
Condition is Paramount: Beswick pieces in mint or near-mint condition command significant premiums over damaged examples. Check carefully for chips (especially on ears, tails, and extremities), cracks, crazing, paint loss, and repairs. Beatrix Potter figurines, often used as children's toys, frequently show wear. Pristine examples are correspondingly valuable.
Backstamp Variations: For Beatrix Potter collectors, particularly, backstamp variations indicating different production periods affect value. Early gold oval backstamps typically command higher prices than later marks. Understanding backstamp progression helps date pieces and assess rarity.
Colourways and Variations: Many Beswick animals were produced in multiple colour variations. Certain colourways are rarer than others, sometimes significantly affecting value. Horse collectors seek specific colour variations of favourite models.
Completeness: Some Beswick pieces include separate elements—riders for horses, accessories for characters. Complete pieces with all original elements are more valuable than incomplete examples.
Popular Collecting Areas: The most actively collected Beswick categories include:
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Beatrix Potter figurines (complete character collections)
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Horse models (breed specialists, specific modellers)
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Specific dog breeds (collectors of particular breeds)
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Character series (Winnie the Pooh, Thelwell, etc.)
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Early and rare pieces across all categories
Beswick values vary by category and current collecting trends. Beatrix Potter maintains strong, stable collector interest. Horse figurines appeal to equestrian collectors and Beswick specialists. Certain rare pieces command substantial prices, while common models remain affordable entry points for beginning collectors.
Vintage British Pottery at Around the Block
Around the Block carries an exceptional range of vintage and antique decorative items, including fine British ceramics, porcelain figurines from prestigious global manufacturers such as Royal Albert, Royal Worcester, Royal Doulton, Coalport, Portmeirion, and more. Our expertise across British ceramics and all the top fine porcelain brands ensures accurate authentication and appropriate valuation for both buyers and consignors.
Whether you're seeking a specific Beatrix Potter character, a particular Beswick horse, or simply exploring British porcelain, you might find the perfect piece in our ever-changing inventory. We invite you to come and explore in person or online.
