Johnson Bros.

Johnson Brothers China graphic to share with your friends and family (as we head into the holiday season!)

November 6, 2022April 4, 2024

This is an ad-free article. Advertising and affiliate income help Lead Safe Mama, LLC cover the costs of the work we do here (independent consumer goods testing and childhood Lead-poisoning prevention advocacy). We have removed ads from most of our more widely-read articles (like this one!) to make them easier for you to read….

Johnson Brothers ships pattern (c. 2005-2007) Made in England: 51,000 ppm Lead on the food surface

June 4, 2021October 19, 2023

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For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used…

Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz (c. 2005 – 2007) Made in England: 171 ppm Lead + 57 ppm Cadmium

June 4, 2021October 20, 2023

For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used…

1995 Franciscan Desert Rose China, Made in England: 47,800 ppm Lead on the food surface! 90 is unsafe for a child.

July 25, 2019October 23, 2021

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When this Franciscan Desert Rose Pattern China (Made in the England by Johnson Brothers in 1995) was tested with an XRF instrument it came in at 47,800 +/- 1,400 ppm lead. It is negative for Cd (cadmium), As (arsenic) and Hg (mercury), however that is one heck of a lot of lead to be found…

Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz: 49,300 ppm Lead- almost 5%! 87 ppm Antimony. This brand is almost always Leaded.

January 13, 2019December 1, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument the exterior glaze of this Johnson Brothers “Rose Chintz” pattern dish (“A Genuine Hand Engraving”- made in England) had the following readings: Each test was done for at least 60 seconds. If a metal is not listed it the set of results below it was not detected by the…

Johnson Brothers English Greydawn Teacup & Saucer: 37,400+ ppm Lead [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

December 2, 2018March 18, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument this Johnson Brothers “Greydawn” teacup & saucer had the following readings when tested with an XRF instrument: Lead (Pb): 37,400 +/- 800 ppm Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-Detect Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect To learn more about XRF testing, Click HERE. To see more…

Johnson Brothers Fine English China with scalloped edges: 70,000+ ppm Lead [90 is unsafe for kids.]

December 2, 2018December 1, 2019

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This post was originally published December 2, 2018 Updated December 1, 2019 When tested with an XRF instrument this Johnson Brothers “Fine English China” White Plate With Scalloped Edges was positive for Lead at greater than 70,000 ppm. Why is this much Lead a problem? For context, in 2019 newly manufactured items intended for use…

Vintage Johnson Brothers Fish Plate (Design No. 3), Made in England: 70,800 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids)

November 2, 2018March 13, 2024

Please click the link for help finding safer choices for your holiday table. Vintage “Fish” dinner plate by Johnson Brothers, “Made in England” “Design No. 3” “A genuine hand engraving” “All decoration under the glaze. Detergent & acid resisting colour.” For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning…

Johnson Brothers Wedgwood Group Blue Willow Earthenware Octagonal Plate: 52,400 ppm Lead [90 is unsafe!]

July 21, 2018August 12, 2019

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This is a (c. 1980) Johnson Bros. (“A Member Of The Wedgwood Group” – see image below of back mark) Willow Earthenware octagonal plate, made in England. As with this piece with the same back mark [link]. I have not been able to determine the exact age of the piece, based on the back mark alone. If…

#Leaded: Johnson Brothers Wedgwood Group Willow Earthenware Pasta Bowl

July 21, 2018January 25, 2019

This is a Johnson Bros. (“A Member Of The Wedgwood Group”) Willow Earthenware Pasta Bowl. I have not been able to determine the exact age of the piece based on the back mark. If you have information that could help me with that, please let me know. I would assume that since it does say…

Johnson Bros. Willow pattern china. Post 1912, England. 43,100 ppm Lead in the glaze. 90 ppm (& up) is unsafe.*

July 21, 2018December 1, 2019

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This vintage Johnson Bros. blue Willow pattern shallow bowl/ saucer (made in England), was likely made after 1912 (based on the back mark, source.) Related: #AskTamara: What do you use to test for Lead? As with nearly all of the Willow pattern china I have tested, it was positive for very high (unsafe) levels of lead…

Q. Are Blue Willow Dishes Lead Free? A. Mostly No!

July 21, 2018May 31, 2023

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Introduction (for those new to this website): Tamara Rubin is a multiple-Federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF testing (a scientific method used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety…

Vintage English Johnson Brothers Mill Stream Ceramic Ironstone Plate: 54,700 ppm Lead, 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

June 23, 2018September 1, 2019

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This vintage Johnson Brothers Mill Stream ceramic “Ironstone” dish tested positive for the following levels when tested with an XRF instrument: Lead (Pb): 54,700 +/- 1,700 ppm Barium (Ba): 489 +/- 104 ppm Tin (Sn): 1,261 +/- 78 ppm Zinc (Zn): 3,461 +/- 178 ppm Iron (Fe): 540 +/- 181 ppm For more information about…

Testing Liberty Blue, Johnson Brothers or Homer Laughlin China with A LeadCheck Swab (Video)

June 20, 2018June 20, 2018

6 Comments

Here are some posts related to the 6-minute video (below): Can I test my dishes with a LeadCheck Swab https://tamararubin.com/2017/02/leadcheck-dishware/ Johnson Brothers Posts https://tamararubin.com/category/johnson-bros/ Homer Laughlin Posts https://tamararubin.com/category/homer-laughlin/ Liberty Blue Posts https://tamararubin.com/category/liberty-blue/ Chip In https://tamararubin.com/2017/01/chip-in/ This video was originally filmed as a Facebook Live video (so there may be moments where I am responding to…

Johnson Brothers Bowl

November 23, 2017November 23, 2017

One more for Nicole! Newer Johnson Brothers (replica of the similar Finlandia pattern) this bowl was super low at only 138 ppm lead. This a level that most would consider to be #LeadSafe. Age unknown. Read more about testing dishes here. To see the #LeadFree dishes I use in my home, click here. For more…

Vintage Sheraton Pattern English Saucer by Johnson Brothers: 77,498 ppm Lead [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

November 23, 2017December 1, 2019

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Sheraton Pattern, “Made in England” saucer, manufactured by Johnson Brothers. 77,498 ppm Lead (Pb) 12,637 ppm Arsenic (As) For context: the amount of lead that is considered toxic in a newly manufactured item intended for use by children is anything that is positive for 90 ppm Lead (or higher) in the paint or coating (or…

Vintage Johnson Bros. Hearts & Flowers Mug: 50,600 ppm Lead. 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe & illegal for new items made for use by kids.

November 23, 2017May 29, 2021

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When tested with an XRF instrument this “Made in England”, Johnson Brothers Mug was positive for 50,600 ppm Lead in the glaze. Originally written November 23, 2017 Updated December 1, 2019 How much Lead is too much Lead? For context, the hazard level for a modern/newly manufactured item intended for use by children is anything…