What do the Chelsea anchor marks mean?

The anchor is the best-known household of Chelsea marks, and museum summaries associate different anchor styles with dating ranges. British Museum records show prominent anchor marks around 1750–1752, red anchor marks around 1753–1758, and gold anchor marks around 1759–1772. These ranges allow to date many marked pieces over a period of a couple of decades. The marks may be underglaze or onglaze; their placement and wear may indicate age and subsequent alterations. However, a mark is never alone. A bright, new-looking anchor on a badly worn piece may signal repainting or later repair. So, it is advisable to compare the shape and colour of your mark with museum images before purchasing.