Alfred Meakin, Royal Ironstone China, Tunstall, Staffordshire, England (1873-present). Maker's stamp. Tea leaf motif ironstone dinnerware was first introduced in 1850 and reproduced by many companies for the next 50 years. The pattern developed from the belief that it was lucky for a whole tea leaf to settle unfolded at the bottom of a teacup. The pattern was favored among working class and rural families. It's popularity began to wane by the turn of the century.