Any information about Thames China?

Question:I have inherited a set of Thames China--the Moss Rose pattern, I think. It has been in my family for 5 generations, and I was hoping to do some research.date it was made, etc. However, I am having no luck with finding out info about it. Any history anyone could provide would be appreciated.

Answers:
I found dozens of THAMES CHINA sets on www.e-bay.com

Just click on "buy" and then enter the names "Thames China" in the search window.

Scroll down to dozens of sets and individual items.

THAMES CHINA is made in Japan and is quite pretty (Rose Moss is their most quoted pattern).

Prices run about $7.99 and up for a setting of six on the auction and notice the ending price was a few dollars higher.

You won't get any history on THAMES. When I was in Tokyo 20 years ago I visited a china manufacturing plant where they would usually choose an existing name like SPODE or WEGEWOOD and change it slightly, then duplicate the pattern.

There were about 300 different patterns made in the factory and doubtless new patterns would be added or changed from time to time.

Tourists could buy a 64 or 128 piece set, all packed in one box for about $50 US up to nicer ones at $100. I asked where the clay came from (since that is the single most important thing which distinguishes the quality of china versus earthenware) and nobody seemed to know.

It is quite possible that there are deposits of fine china clay in that country, just as there are in England where CROWN DERBY and ROYAL ALBERT clay is found.