These vibrant collectibles are as charming today as they were when they were first introduced.

Origin

The company Carlton Ware was formed in 1890 due to a partnership between J.F. Wiltshaw and J.A. Robinson. The company changed ownership several times during its century-old life. Today it is well known all over the world. Carlton Ware introduced this earthenware line of floral embossed patterns in the 1930s.

Patterns were produced in either a green or yellow background and featured a range of floral patterns including: Fox Glove, Apple Blossom, Water Lily, Buttercup and Poppy.

Appeal

The vivid colours and floral patterns make this line of Carlton Ware as appealing today as it was in the 1930s. This sturdy earthenware is used today for display and serving. Teapots, cream and sugars, tea cups, saucers, salt and peppers, toast racks, jam pots and a variety of serving pieces can still be found.

Quirky Fact

The rather confusing and wordy mark on this earthenware often appears as Carlton Ware Made in England Trade Mark Registered Australian Design Registration Applied For. This is for good reason. By the 1930s, Carlton Ware had become a target of good quality imitations coming from Japan. Priced lower than the originals, it became a problem for the company. Carlton Ware discovered a clause in the South East Asia Treaty Organization with respect to trade between Australia and Japan. The treaty stated the Japan could not copy designs that were registered in Australia.

Shopping

They were moderately priced and quite popular in their day. Today it can be found at flea markets, antique shops, garage sales and on Ebay. Prices can range from a few dollars to much more depending upon the pattern, shape, size and condition of the piece.

Martin Swinton

A lifelong lover of all things old, Martin was born in Toronto, Canada and spent time in Malaysia as a child.

Martin learned to restore furniture when he was a teenager and has worked at an auction house. He owns Take-A-Boo Emporium, an antique shop located at 1927 Avenue Road, Toronto, Canada.

His television appearances include Canadian Living Television, Breakfast Television, Daytime and Toronto Living.

Martin teaches courses on antiques and he writes a regular column "Let's Talk Antiques" for the Town Crier newspaper and "Antiques 101" for the Home Advisor. He also does appraisals for estates and community events.

When Martin is not appearing on television or teaching, he can be found in his shop restoring well-worn furniture, gluing vintage tables or re-caning and rushing chairs. On warm summer days, he has been seen multi-tasking out front of the shop when he chats up the locals and works on his tan.

Martin recalls that he has always been interested in things from the past, so it is not surprising that he graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Archaeology. He holds a high school equivalency diploma from the Ontario Ministry of Education. Martin completed his grade 2 course of studies at Cedarvale Public School before being home school through to high school. At the age of 7 Martin was diagnosed with a bad case of dyslexia, which explains a lot of the problems that he had in Mrs. Mansica's grade 2 reading circle.

His personal areas of interest are Asian art, European furniture and the Arts & Crafts movement. Martin is a member of the Monarchist League of Canada. He lives in Toronto with his wife Andrea and Kurt, his basketball mad 14-year old son.