The Silver Crane Company was formed some 25 years ago and is still privately owned today. The Company originally produced fun ceramic tea pots, accessories and men's kits. Our privately owned pottery was based in Worcester and our design and distribution was based in Dorset.

In the early days, brand recognition was the key to the success of our designs which included the ceramic Parker Pen brand, Gordon's Gin cocktail kits, Kiwi Shoe Care Kits and Shell Car Care Kits.

In 1987 Silver Crane won the coveted Queen's Award for Export and in 1991 we doubled the number of artists in our in-house design studio and took advantage of the gap in the market for highly innovative and decorative tin ware in the gift and food markets.

The following years saw Silver Crane build on it's reputation as designers of 'Probably the Best Tins in the World' - a phrase that was expressed by so many that we adopted it as part of our logo!

Tin boxes have always been one of the World's favourite forms of packaging combing practicality, attractiveness and durability but Silver Crane has literally stretched tinware design to the limit!

We have been at the forefront of designing heavily shaped and embossed tins for over a decade and keep on stimulating the market with more stunning and unique designs.

Our tins have won the prestigious 'Best in Metal Packaging Awards' - the 'Oscars' of the tin box industry - year on year. This has further enhanced our worldwide reputation as designers and suppliers of the most highly decorative shaped tinware in the World and attracted an impressive portfolio of leading food and gift companies who have commissioned Silver Crane to create their tin ranges

Information taken from http://www.silvercrane.co.uk/present/history.htm

Another recent rare find! 03/06/2008
Possible Prototype

The is an extremely rare Golly mug, as you can see its has the "Made by THE SILVER CRANE COMPANY' pottery stamp. Apparently this mug is one of only few made by Silver Crane. The reason why is not currently known. Although not confirmed it may be due to the fact it was produced as a prototype.

Update 10/06/2008
This mug has been confirmed by Anne & Julian at Silver Crane to be Genuine Golly Mug and was made under an approved licence from
Robertsons, there were problems with this particular piece. It
followed an article in the Evening Standard about the Black & White
Minstrel Show, which more of less accused them of being a racist
parody. I can remember this happening and it blew into quite a row.
Robertson's also heard about it and thought that the Golly in his
top hat looked quite like a black and white minstrel and thought it
wise to duck out of any possible firing line. They therefore asked
Silver Crane to withdraw it from sale at this point


 Pictures kindly provided by Sian
 

Minstrel show

Article taken from Wikipedia

Detail from cover of The Celebrated Negro Melodies, as Sung by the Virginia Minstrels, 1843

The minstrel show, or minstrelsy, was an American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music, performed by white people in blackface or, especially after the American Civil War, African Americans in blackface
 

Robertson's Items by Silver Crane
The Famous Golly Tea Pot



Below: The Silver Crane markings
 on the bottom of the 'Tea Pot'

"Awaiting Image"


Extremely Rare Cricketer Teapot



Below: Base of the cricketers Teapot



Salt & Pepper
Below: Silver Crane Pepper Pot
Comes complete with matching salt pot.



Below: Shows the underneath of the pepper/salt pot. The bung is removed and you are then able to refill with salt or pepper. pot

Robertson's 'Toast Rack'
made by Silver Crane.

Below: The bottom of the Toast Rack is clearly mark with the Silver Crane markings.

Markings Read
Designed by J & G Morten
Made under licence from
James Robertson & Sons