Another Pottery Question

[stuey]

Anyone have any idea of the maker and age of this piece. I'm assuming that it's from Staffordshire, as we lived in the "Potteries" before moving over here. It's about 9" high. 7"wide, and 3" deep. It has no potters mark on it, and a couple of sites I visited suggested that no marks SOMETIMES indicates that the item is really old. http://i60.tinypic.com/1zyeg4j.jpg

[stuey]

Here is a photo of the base, with what appears to be "311" marked on it. The longish discolorations to the right side actually delineate shallow groves. http://i58.tinypic.com/2aevvat.jpg

[tonyav]

stuey, would the 311 only be a pattern number.

[stuey]

I don't know, Tony, but it could well be.

[tonyav]

Strange that there is just a (possibly) pattern number but no makers mark.

[bert_h]

Although the figures represent the Georgian period, it's clear that their actual modelling is very much later. I wouldn't believe they were any earlier than 1930. It's impossible to describe the logic behind that - it's just that when you've seen lots and lots of pieces, all of different ages, your mind can pigeonhole a new piece like this.

[DTCwordfan]

Possibly New Hall (N Staffs) or Lowestoft ware (they are connected), both used these sort of simple design markings, originally blue but can discolour to green.

[DTCwordfan]

very late Georgian/early Victorian.

[stuey]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I guess I'll just have to wait until "The Antique Road Show" comes to town:)