Q: I have a pottery bowl in quite gaudy colours, yellow, green and brown, and a picture of fruits on the inside. On the base is a mark showing a castle and the name New Hall, Hanley. I have checked in a book and there was a firm called New Hall in the early 19th century, but the mark is different. Can you help?

Mrs S

A. The original New Hall pottery closed in the 1830s, but the name was revived by another company between 1900 and 1956. This firm was based in the old New Hall works (hence taking the same name) in Hanley, Staffs.

The mark you sketch was used only between 1930 and 1951, and the design and pattern of the item you describe suggests it dates from the 1930-1940 period.

Value is modest, as while the original New Hall from the 19th century is quite collected, the wares of the later firm are less so. Value would be £25 to £35.