Crested Ceramic Souvenir Buildings, Monuments, Towers, Statues, and Memorials

Ever notice these ceramic buildings, monuments and towers commonly called “crested china?” Goss crested china is typically in the form of small white glazed porcelain models, made from 1858 to 1939, carrying the coat of arms of the place where they were sold as a souvenir, thus being a form of model heraldic china. Other factories, including Carlton, Shelley, Willow and Arcadian, also made souvenir ware but Goss is one of the more collectable types. William Henry Goss (1833-1906), owner of the Falcon pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, England is credited with the idea of making souvenir ware bearing crests and names of seaside resorts in the late 19th century. The white glazed porcelain souvenirs are popular in the British Isles and are sometimes classical shapes of Roman and Greek antiquities. There are also many ceramic replicas of attractions including Tower Bridge, London’s Marble Arch, Windsor Castle, stadiums, cottages, churches, monuments and towers. The First World War caused a decline in production and in 1929 the Goss family sold their factory which continued to produce souvenir ware until the end of the 1930s. After the Second World War interest in Goss was revived. As with souvenir buildings, there is a club for Goss crested china collectors.

I collect 3D metal souvenir building replicas of architecture from around the world. If you have any to sell or trade, contact me via my email address in the “complete profile” link at the top right of this blog.