Chinoiserie School of Motifs
The very popular Chinoiserie School of patterns were first produced by W&R Carlton Ware in circa 1915, they where in production up until the 1960's. Mikado is the earliest and one of the most prolific of the Chinoiserie patterns.
W& R Mikado ~ 1886 (circa 1915)
 Wiltshaw & Robinson Mikado Jardinere - under glaze decoration - pattern 2340 matt black ground - production era 1919 to 1924 Image courtesy of "Dulcie Agnes Joyce Memorial Collection" The Mikado scene depicts two oriental ladies dressed in a classic oriental style in a fanciful Oriental garden with pagodas and ornate bridges spanning between islands which are decked in exotically jeweled trees. There are nearly always a pair kissing birds in flight above the scene.  
W&R Carlton Ware Mikado Vase - underglaze decoration - pattern 2355 mother of pearl lustre ground - production era 1919 to 1924 Image courtesy of "Dulcie Agnes Joyce Memorial Collection" The Mikado pattern was in production in various guises' for a long time, the first pattern number recorded against it is 1886. This first Mikado pattern dates from 1915 and the Mikado pattern was in production up until the mid 1960’s with at least 30 individual pattern numbers issued against it.  
W&R Carlton Ware Mikado Vase - pattern 2357 matt royal blue ground, underglaze decoration - production era 1919 to 1924 Image courtesy of "The Parnell Collection" The finest of the Carlton Ware Best Ware are the examples where the decoration is applied under glaze rather than over glaze. The three examples from above are under glaze decoration, where the examples below are over glaze. 
W&R Mikado Tobacco Jar – pattern 2364 mottled navy lustre ground – production era 1919 - 1927 Image courtesy of "The Margaret Jones Collection"  
Carlton Ware Mikado Cylinder Vase – pattern 2364 navy lustre ground - production era 1927 - 1941
It is interesting to note that while this vase bears the pattern number 2364 which was introduced 1919, it bears the Carlton Ware mark that was introduced in 1925. It is not inconceivable that this vase was produced at late as 1951 which is 32 years after the pattern number was first issued. It is my belief that this must have been the longest run of any of the pattern numbers.
 W&R Carlton Ware Mikado Jar - pattern 2929 chocolate lustre ground - production era 1925 to 1927 Image courtesy of "The Margaret Jones Collection"  
W&R Carlton Ware Mikado Vase - pattern 2978 yellow gloss with mat black frieze - production era 1925 to 1927 Image courtesy of "The Margaret Jones Collection" The Mikado pattern was produced on just about every colour-way imaginable. It sometimes appears with a frieze that incorporates scenes from the Temple pattern. 
W&R Carlton Ware Mikado Bowl with Temple frieze - pattern 3178 matt black ground with terracotta decorative frieze - production era 1927 Image courtesy of "The Margaret Jones Collection" Pattern numbers issued against this motif; 1886 matt balck ground with terracotta frieze - 2240 mat black ground, underglaze decoration - 2264 mottled navy gloss ground - 2314 mottled navy gloss ground - 2340 black matt ground with strawberry coloured frieze's, underglaze decoration - 2355 sponged mother of pearl lustre ground, underglaze decoration - 2356 sponged pale blue lustre ground, underglaze decoration - 2357 matt royal blue ground, underglaze decoration - 2361 matt red ground , underglaze decration - 2363 black ground, multicoloured frieze 2364 mottled navy lustre ground - 2367 matt black ground, underglaze decoration - 2370 matt black ground - 2399 mottled blue ground, with motif transrfered appline in gold only - 2410 black ground with green decorative frieze - 2442 matt red ground - 2978 matt balck ground, amber frieze - 3048 matt cream ground, blue frieze- 3910 matt black ground, cream frieze - 4373 "Vert Royale" ground - 4422 "Rouge Royale" ground - 4433 "Rouge Royale" ground - 4434 navy lustre ground - 4678 Vert Royale ground  Pattern numbers issed for the veriation of Mikado with Temple frieze; 1883 matt black ground with terracotta frieze - 2410 matt black ground, green frieze - 2881 matt black ground, terracotta frieze - 2888 matt black ground, terracotta frieze - 2910 matt black ground, green temple frieze - 2914 matt black ground, green frieze, decration transfer applied in gold - 2927 red ground, cream frieze - 3158 matt black ground, cream frieze - 3201 green gloss ground, black frieze W&R New Mikado ~2091 (circa 1917)Close up of scene from the back and the front of a Carlton Ware New Mikado vase (pattern 2728) Just to completely confuse; in 1917 the New Mikado pattern was added to Chinoiserie school of patterns. It was in production from 1917 until the mid 1960’s, it has over 25 pattern numbers recorded against it. New Mikado is in the style of Mikado only more lavish. While the Mikado alludes to a lake; in New Mikado the designers play with the lake. They have included ornate barges decked with a canopy and lanterns and added many more characters, like a barge man poling a barge across the lake.  Carlton Ware Mikado Vase - pattern 2728 mottled navy lustre - production era 1927 to 1940 Image courtesy of "Dulcie Agnes Joyce Memorial Collection" There are more trees on New Mikado, my favorites are the are the weeping willows, and the trees are more ornate than in Mikado. The kissing birds have been replaced by two birds either wading in the lake or in flight. 
W&R Carlton Ware Mikado Float Bowl - pattern 2728 mottled navy blue ground - production era 1924 to 1927 Image courtesy of "The Lexi James Collection"  
W&R Carlton Ware New Mikado Ginger Jar - pattern 2814 irridescent blue lustre ground, underglaze decoration - production era 1924 to 1927 This large Ginger Jar & Cover (29 cm 11.5" tall) is yet another example of the New Mikado pattern, only in this case the hand applied paint work is under the glaze.
C.W. New Mikado Cabinet plate- pattern 4419 "Vert Royale" ground - production era 1951 to 1961
Pattern numbers issued against this motif; 2091 mottled green lustre ground - 2428 navy lustre ground - 2470 matt black ground - 2727 red lustre ground - 2728 mottled navy lustre ground - 2729 mottled navy lustre ground, decoartion transfer applied in gold - 2740 mother of pearle lustre ground - 2788 blood red gloss ground - 2814 irridescent blue lustre ground, underglaze decoration - 2815 red lustre ground, decortaion transfer applied in gold - 2825 blood red lustre ground, decoration in transfer applied gold - 2830 red lustre ground - 3137 lime green lustre ground - 3495 mottled lime green lustre ground - 3843 green lustre ground - 3860 mottled navy ground - 4104 light green lustre ground - 4109 yellow lustre ground - 4320 pale yellow lustre ground - 4328 pale green lustre ground - 4329 cream ground - 4346 "Noir Royale" ground - 4362 "Vert Royale" ground - 4398 "Bleu Royale" ground - 4416 mattled navy lustre ground - 4419 "Vert Royale" ground
W&R Kang Hsi Chinoiserie ~ 2021 (circa 1917)
The Kang Hsi Chinoiserie pattern is acomplished by transfer applied gilding with a touch acrylic paint hand applied over the glaze. 
W&R Carlton Ware Kang Hsi Temple Jar & Cover - pattern 2021 mottled navy gloss ground - production era 1916 to 1920 Image courtesy of "The Lexi James Collection" 
Kang Hsi mark incorporates the pattern number 2021.
W&R Temple ~ 2481 (circa 1920) 
W&R Temple Baluster Vase - W&R Mark - pattern 2929 light blue ground, black decorative frieze - production era 1925 to 1929 Image courtesy of "The Margaret Jones Collection" Temple is yet another member of the Chinoiserie school. Again, very similar to Mikado, only no birds or willows, and the trees are more in the style of flowering cherry. The central pagoda has a large circular doorway and there is generally a golden sun.  
W&R Carlton Ware Temple Vase - W&R mark - pattern 2880 terra cotta ground - production era 1924 to 1927 Image courtesy of "The Lexi James Collection" The Temple pattern evolved 4 years after the introduction of Mikado and Mikado with a Temple frieze. What came first - the chicken or the egg - in this case we must conclude that the Mikado friese is the egg and Temple is the chicken.  
Carlton Ware Temple Temple Jar - Carlton Ware Mark - pattern 2971 emerald green ground - production era 1925 - 1930 Image courtesy of "The Lexi James Collection" This pattern was in production for a long time, the first pattern number issued against it is 2367 (circa 1920), there was at least 25 pattern numbers issued against it and it was in production up until at least 1940. 
Carlton Ware Temple Bowl - pattern 3026 matt cream with green frieze - production era 1928 to 1932 Image courtesy of "The Margaret Jones Collection"  
W&R Temple Jar - pattern 3130 sage gloss green, black frieze- production era 1927 Image courtesy of "The Parnell Collection" 
C.W. Temple Tray - pattern 4204 yellow gloss ground - production era 1938 to 1942 
Carlton Ware Temple Vase – pattern 4214 rare pink ground - production era 1938 1942 Pattern numbers issued against this motif; 2481 navy lustre ground - 2482 navy lustre ground, decoration applied gilt only - 2552 matt plae blue ground - 2681 mottled navy ground - 2820 matt terracotta ground with black decorative frieze - 2880 matt red ground with black frieze - 2928 gloss yellow ground, black decorative frieze - 2929 gloss mid blue, black decorative frieze- 2941 mid green ground, black frieze - 2971 emerald green ground, black frieze - 3003 red lustre ground, with black frieze - 3026 matt cream ground, green frieze - 3027 cream ground, black frieze - 3047 matt cream ground, terracotta frieze - 3048 matt cream, blue frieze - 3087 matt cream ground, black frieze - 3129 orange lustre ground, black frieze - 3130 sage gloss green, black frieze - 4108 pale green gloss ground - 4204 light yellow gloss ground - 4205 pale gloss green ground - 4214 pink gloss ground W&R Barge ~ 2519 (circa 1922)
W&R Carlton Ware Barge Wall Charger - pattern 2519 royal blue lustre ground - production era 1922 - 1927 Barge is again similar to New Mikado, but the Lake has large rafts of flowering water lilies. There is an ornamental walk way across a pond with bridges and pagodas. There is a large ornamental barge with two ladies reclining under an awning with a bargeman on the rear of the barge. There is generally a two story pagoda with 3 figures on the ground floor and a single figure on the upper floor. Due to the size of this pattern it is often cut down to fit on smaller sized shapes, but the pagoda is always present and while the actual barge is sometimes left out the lantern that is hung from the front of the barges awning is generally included. This pattern went into production circa 1922. 
The lattern came off a small 6" vase where the aera where the image could be applied was quiet small. It is an example where only parts of pattern are used. On the small lidded jar below we see where only the two story pagoda and the small village have been used.  
W&R Barge Vase – pattern 2519 royal blue lustre ground - era 1922 to 1927 To date I have only ever seen this vase with a W&R mark which leads me to conclude it was only in manufacture between 1921 and 1927 and it only has the one pattern number 2519. W&R Chinese Tea Garden ~ 2936 (circa 1925)
Chinese Tea garden is a very interesting and rare pattern. It has only the one pattern number issued against it (2936). I have identified three individual scenes associated with the pattern, one depicts a Pagoda, another a Temple and the third is a group of Chinese characters taking part in some sort of tea ceremony, all these scenes just shriek Chinoiserie. 
W&R Carlton Ware Chinese Tea Garden Jar & cover - pattern 2936 navy lustre ground - production era 1925 - 1927 Image courtesy of "The Lexi James Collection"
The three scenes of Chinese Tea Garden are all incorporated into the Chinaland pattern. Chinaland has much more detail; in Chinese Tea Garden the three different scenes are set against a mottled blue ground, where in Chinaland they are set against a fantastic landscape of snow capped mountains and lakes. Of course Chinaland is painted under glaze where Chinese Tea Garden is over glaze, but basically they are the same pattern.
As the pattern number attributed to Chinese Tea Garden (2936) is 12 earlier than the earliest number attributed to Chinaland (2948). One must conclude that Chinese Tea Garden is the first pattern. Perhaps Chinese Tea garden was conceived and then some bright spark came up with the idea of setting these scenes on a more elaborate back ground and Chinaland was born, I doubt if we will ever really know. W&R Chinaland ~ 2948 (circa 1925) Chinaland is probably the most sought after and the ornatest pattern in the Chinoiserie school. It combines a rich amalgam of towering snow capped peaks, pagodas, bridges, figures, trees and barges into a mystical tapestry. 
 
W&R Carlton Ware Chinaland Jar & Cover – pattern 2948 orange lustre ground - production era 1925 to 1927 Image courtesy of "Dulcie Agnes Joyce Memorial Collection" 
Chinaland has a special colour transfered maker's mark.  
W&R Carlton Ware Chinaland Vase - pattern 2950 iridescent blue lustre - production era 1925 to 1927 Image courtesy of "Dulcie Agnes Joyce Memorial Collection"  W&R Carlton Ware Chinaland Ginger Jar - pattern 3014 ice blue lustre ground - era 1925 to 1927 Image courtesy of "Dulcie Agnes Joyce Memorial Collection" 
  W&R Carlton Ware Chinaland Vase - pattern 3015 red lustre ground - production era 1925 - 1927 Image courtesy of The Parnell Collection Pattern numbers issued against this motif; 2948 orange lustre ground - 2950 iridescent blue lustre ground - 3014 pale blue lustre ground - 3015 red lustre ground - 3895 green lustre ground Carlton Ware Mikado in Cartouche ~ 3178 (circa 1927) 
C.W. Mikado in Cartouche Vase - pattern 3178 mat orange ground with a black cartouche with Mikado - production era 1927 to 1931 Image courtesy of "The Margaret Jones Collection"  
W&R Dragon in Cartouche Vase - pattern 3145 gloss red ground with dragon in black cartouche - production era 1927 Image courtesy of "Dulcie Agnes Joyce Memorial Collection" I have put this vase in at this point so a comparison can be drawn between this pattern and Mikado in the Cartouche.Please note how similer these patterns are - the colourways are the same, the cartouch is the same shape and style and the small cartouches are very similer. I feel these patterns are very closely related.
Carlton Ware Chinese Figures ~ 3199 (circa 1927)
Carlton Ware Chinese Figures Vase - pattern 3199 navy lustre ground - production era 1927 - 1941 Image courtesy of "The Lexi James Collection" Chinese Figures is the last of Chinoiserie school. The pattern depicts a high status official in front of a Temple with a gaggle of servants of servants in attendance. The Temple doorway is the same as the temple in Temple. It is all set in the classic Chinoiserie Chinese garden with bridges and barges and an island, it is as elaborate as it is complex. Also present on the Chinese letters is sometimes which are part of the scene and also form and intricate freeze around the mouth of the vase.  Carlton Ware Chinese Figures Vase - pattern 3199 This the scene from the back of the vase pictured two above Image courtesy of "The Lexi James Collection"
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