Things You'll Need:
- Library card or bookstore
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Step 1
Search the International Ceramic Directory at ceramic-link.de (see References for link), where you will find a list of china marks originating from many countries. You will find American, Austrian, British, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian and Japanese marks along with a corresponding web address where you can find in-depth information. Crown marks are indicated in the descriptions for the companies and artists who use them. You can browse through the list one by one or do a "CTRL+F" and search the word "crown" to pull up the entries that list crown markings.
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Step 2
Purchase or check out a book about how to identify markings on pottery and fine china. Two favorites are "Pictorial Guide to Pottery & Porcelain Marks" by Chad Lage and "Kovels' Dictionary of Marks--Pottery And Porcelain" by Ralph Kovel and Terry Kovel. Both have a special section designated for identifying crowns from all sorts of manufacturers and artists.
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Step 3
Submit a query form to Peter Holland, who runs the website FigurinesSculpture.com. All that's necessary is a close-up photograph of the crown marking plus a faraway shot of the entire piece. You can also browse a list of common methods and tips to identify your piece, as well as responses Holland has given to others' queries.
