Very few examples of salt glazed stoneware are marked before 1870, unless you are lucky enough to possess items by Briddon (Chesterfield) or Kishere (Mortlake).
The most useful guide to identification of an unmarked item is the sprig under the handle (with the exception of Doulton these are rarely copied).
Below are the 5 most readily identifiable makers in alphabetical order.
Denby | |||
Vine leaf variants 1850s on. | |||
1840s? | |||
Doulton | |||
|
Most small sizes, 1870 on | Small sizes, 1850s-60s? | Most medium & large sizes |
Fulham | |||
Standard for all sizes | |||
Smith | |||
Standard for all sizes | |||
Stiff | |||
|
Small | Medium | Large |
Doulton terminal sprigs were copied by Port Dundas (Glasgow) and Fulham but
usually identified with making pottery's name.
Stiff terminal sprigs were
copied by Doulton for their "old style range" but again marked with
maker's name.
Smith copied Doulton and Stiff body sprigs but retained their
usual handle terminal.
Although this covers probably 80% of all jugs (and tankards with handle terminals) you may well see items with terminals like these:
The left terminal is discussed under Unidentified maker 1 and the right
is called, rather unhelpfully, in reference books "Standard English
Terminal" or SET.
Leafy terminals exist in many variations but were
definitely used by Bristol (Price and Powell), Kishere (Mortlake) and Vauxhall.