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Subject:Question about letters on porcelain
Posted By: Mary Tue, Dec 01, 2009 IP: 71.237.106.49
I have a large jar with lid with the letters W B I and the words "made in China" What do the letters mean and how old is it? Thanks, Mary

Subject:Re: Question about letters on porcelain
Posted By: Arjan Wed, Dec 02, 2009
Hallo Mary,

Sorry, I can't tell you what the letters mean but these W.B.I marked (enameld) pieces were probably decorated in Canton or Hong Kong and dates from early to mid 20th. century.

regards,

Arjan

Subject:Re: Question about letters on porcelain
Posted By: Mary Thu, Dec 03, 2009
Thank you There was no info at all on the internet for these letters on the bottom of my porcelain.

Subject:Re: Question about letters on porcelain
Posted By: Barney Sat, Dec 05, 2009
Hi Mary,

Probably from the 1950�s or after. WBI actually stands for the World Banking Institute, which was formed about then. It was to create jobs and stimulate the economy of underdeveloped nations. Kind of like what the WPA did for Americans in the 1940�s, but on a global scale. The initials WBI started appearing on Chinese porcelain, mostly export, thereafter.

Since you haven�t provided any image or description of your jar, I�ll guess it�s a multi-colored piece of export quality. They often have brightly colored birds and flowers, with a broad use of colors. Sometimes they have raised (or recessed) outline decoration. Quite common and not really of too much value.

Here�s an image of the mark, yours is probably similar.

Good luck,

Barney



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Subject:Re: Question about letters on porcelain
Posted By: Diane S Sat, Oct 15, 2016
THANK YOU THANK YOU Barney
I stumbled on your reply post nearly 7 yrs after you posted the response. I have searched & searched and finally found a bit of marking info. Mine is exactly like your post photo > WBI. I have a large, mostly green shades w/a shrimp/salmon coral accents. Thanks again. Off to now learn more :)



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