THE
CERAMIC ART
OF
GREAT BRITAIN
FROM PRE-HISTORIC TIMES DOWN TO THE PRESENT DAY
BEING A HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND MODERN
POTTERY AND PORCELAIN WORKS
OF THE KINGDOM
_AND OF THEIR PRODUCTIONS OF EVERY CLASS_
BY
LLEWELLYNN JEWITT, F.S.A.
LOCAL SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF LONDON;
HON. AND ACTUAL MEMBER OF THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL ARCHÆOLOGICAL
COMMISSION, AND STATISTICAL COMMITTEE, PSKOV;
MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ARCHÆOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND
IRELAND;
ASSOCIATE OF THE BRITISH ARCHÆOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION;
HON. MEMBER OF THE ESSEX ARCHÆOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND OF THE MANX
SOCIETY, ETC.;
COR. MEMBER OF THE ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
ETC. ETC. ETC.
_ILLUSTRATED WITH NEARLY TWO THOUSAND ENGRAVINGS_
IN TWO VOLUMES.--II.
LONDON
VIRTUE AND CO., LIMITED, 26, IVY LANE
PATERNOSTER ROW
1878
[_All rights reserved._]
LONDON:
PRINTED BY VIRTUE AND CO., LIMITED,
CITY ROAD.
CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Potteries of the Tyne, Tees, and
Wear--Newcastle-on-Tyne--Warburton Pottery--Newcastle
Pottery or Forth Banks Pottery--Stepney Bank
Pottery--Ouseburn Bridge Pottery--Ouseburn Ford
Pottery--Ouseburn Potteries--Low Pottery--South
Shore Pottery--Phœnix Pottery--St. Peter’s
Pottery--Gateshead--Carr’s Hill Pottery--St. Anthony’s
Pottery--Sherriff Hill Pottery--Tyne Main Pottery--North
Shields--Low Light Pottery--South Shields--Tyne or Shields
Pottery--North Hylton--South Hylton or Ford--Southwick
Pottery--Wear Pottery--High Southwick Pottery--Deptford
Pottery--Monkwearmouth--Sheepfold Pottery--Sunderland
Pottery and the Garrison Pottery--Seaham
Harbour--Newbottle--Bishop Auckland--New Moor
Pottery--Stockton-on-Tees--Stafford Pottery--North Shore
Pottery--Middlesborough-on-Tees--Wolviston Pottery--Coxhoe
Pottery--Alnwick 1
CHAPTER II.
Liverpool Pottery--Shaw’s Delft Ware--Shaw’s
Brow--Zachariah Barnes--Sadler and Green--Transfer
Printing--Wedgwood’s Printed Ware--Drinkwater’s
Works--Spencer’s Pottery--Richard Chaffers--Reid and
Co.’s Works--The Penningtons--Patrick’s Hill Works--The
Flint Pottery--Herculaneum Works--Warrington Pottery and
China--Runcorn--Prescot--St. Helen’s--Seacombe 18
CHAPTER III.
Derby--Cock-pit Hill--Mayer--Heath--Derby
China--Andrew Planche--Duesbury and Heath--William
Duesbury--Purchase of the Chelsea Works--Weekly
Bills--Show Rooms in London--Sales by Candle--Changes
in Proprietorship--Bloor--Locker--Stevenson
& Co.--Hancock--Painters and
Modellers--Spengler--Coffee--Askew--Billingsley--Pinxton--
Nantgarw--Swansea--Other Artists employed at Derby--Cocker
and Whitaker’s China Works, &c., &c. 56
CHAPTER IV.
Chesterfield--Caskon--Heathcote--Brampton--Posset
Pots--Puzzle Jugs--Welshpool and Payne
Potteries--The Pottery--Walton Pottery--Wheatbridge
Pottery--Alma, Barker, and London
Potteries--Whittington--Bromley--Jewitt--Newbold--Eckington
--Belper--Codnor Park--Denby--Bournes Pottery--Shipley--
Alfreton--Langley Mills--Ilkeston--Pinxton--Pinxton China--China
Tokens--Wirksworth--Dale Abbey--Repton--Encaustic
Tiles--Tile Kilns, London--Tickenhall--Kings
Newton--Burton-on-Trent--Swadlincote Potteries--Church
Gresley Potteries--Gresley Common--Woodville--Hartshorne,
&c.--Wooden Box--Rawdon Works--Pool Works--Coleorton--&c.,
&c. 115
CHAPTER V.
Stoke-upon-Trent--Josiah Spode--Copeland and
Garrett--Copeland and Sons--Mintons--Hollins--Trent
Pottery; Jones--Albert Street Works--Copeland Street
Works--Glebe Street and Wharf Street Works--Copeland
Street--Bridge Works--London Road; Goss--Kirkham--Campbell
Brick and Tile Company--Harrison and Wedgwood--Bankes--Hugh
Booth--Ephraim Booth--Wolf--Bird--Adams and Son--H. and R.
Daniel--Boyle--Reade--Lowndes and Hall 167
CHAPTER VI.
Burslem--Early Potters--Earthenware
Gravestones--Toft--Talor--Sans--Turnor--Shawe--Mitchell--
Cartwright--Rich--Wood--Wood & Caldwell--Churchyard Works--
Bell Works--Red Lion Works--Big House--Ivy House--Lakin &
Poole--Waterloo Works--Boote & Co.--Washington Works--Nile Street
Works--Newport Pottery--Dale Hall--Stubbs--Bates--Walker
& Co.--Mayer & Co.--Dale Hall Pottery--Rogers--Edwards
& Son--Dale Hall Tile Company--Albert Street
Works--Mersey Pottery--Steel--Maddock & Son--New Wharf
Pottery--Over House Works--Swan Bank Pottery--Hill Top
Pottery--Hill Pottery China Works--Crown Works--Scotia
Works--Queen Street Works--Hill Works--Ralph
Wood--Sylvester Pottery--High Street Pottery--Sneyd
Pottery--Hadderidge Pottery--Navigation Works--Sytch
Pottery--Kiln Croft Works--Albert Pottery--Waterloo
Works--Central Pottery--Longport--Davenports--Terra
Cotta--Brownhills--Wood--Littler--Marsh and
Heywood--Brownhills Pottery Company--Cobridge--Cobridge
Works, Brownfields--Clews--Furnivals--Bates &
Bennett--Abbey Pottery--Villa Pottery--Cockson &
Seddon--Alcock & Co.--Elder Road Works--Warburton--Daniel, &c. 236
CHAPTER VII.
Hanley and Shelton--Miles--Phillips--Astbury--Baddeley--
Edwards--Voyez--Palmer--Neale--Wilson--New Hall
Works--Hollins--Keeling--Turner--Warburton--Clowes--Bagnall--New
Hall Company--Richard
Champion--Glass--Twyford--Mare--Twemlow--Old Hall
Works--Meigh--Broad Street Works--Mason--Ashworth--Cauldon
Place--Ridgways--Browne-Westhead & Co.--Trent
Pottery--Keeling--Booth & Co.--Stafford Street
Works--Church Works--Waterloo Works--Kensington
Works--Burton Place Works--Clarence Street Works--Nelson
Place--Phœnix and Bell Works--Bedford Works--Mayer
Street--Cannon Street Works--Brewery Street--Percy Street
Works--Taylor, Tunnicliffe & Co.--Biller & Co.--Albion
Works--Eastwood Vale--Eastwood Works--Dental Manufacturing
Company--Trent Pottery--James Dudson--Victoria
Works--Charles Street Works--High Street--Eagle
Works--Brook Street Works--Cannon Street--William
Stubbs--Norfolk Street Works--Broad Street--Albert
Works--Ranelagh Works--Swan Works--Mayer Street
Works--Brook Street Works--Dresden Works--Bath Street
Works--Waterloo Works--New Street Pottery--Castle Field
Pottery--Henry Venables 298
CHAPTER VIII.
Etruria--Josiah Wedgwood--The Wedgwood Family--Indenture
of Apprenticeship--Ridge House Estate--Etruria Works
founded--Thomas Bentley--Flaxman--Catalogues of
Goods--Jasper and other Wares--Portland Vase--Monument
to Josiah Wedgwood--Marks--Various productions of the
Works--M. Lessore 345
CHAPTER IX.
Longton--Sutherland Road Works--Market Street Works--High
Street Works--Park Works--Sheridan Works--Commerce
Street Works--Crown Works--Stafford Street Works--Peel
Pottery--King Street Works--Chancery Lane Works--St.
Mary’s Works--Commerce Street--New Town Pottery--Borough
Pottery--High Street--New Street--Prince of Wales
Pottery--High Street Works--Alma Works--Market
Street--Victoria Works--Stafford Street--Russell
Street--Mount Pleasant Works--High Street--British Anchor
Works--Royal Porcelain Works--Stafford Street--St.
Gregory’s Pottery--Gold Street Works--Wellington
Works--St. Martin’s Lane--Heathcote Works--Green
Dock Works--Chadwick Street--Baddeley--Waterloo
Works--Heathcote Road Pottery--Sutherland Potteries--Church
Street--Cornhill Works--Sutherland Works--St.
James’s Place--Daisy Bank--Park Hall Street--Viaduct
Works--Beech, King Street--Anchor Pottery--Dresden
Works--Palissy Works--Fenton, Minerva Works--Victoria
Works--Fenton Potteries--Fenton Pottery--Foley--Old
Foley Pottery--Anchor Works--Fenton Potteries--Lane
Delph Pottery--Grosvenor Works--Park Works--Foley
Pottery--Foley Potteries--Foley China Works--King Street
Works--Heath--Bacchus--Meir--Harrison--Martin--Miles
Mason--Whieldon--Wedgwood &
Harrison--Turner--Garner--Edwards--Johnson--Phillips--
Bridgwood--Greatbach--Greenwood--Heathcote, &c. 386
CHAPTER X.
Tunstall--Early Potters--Enoch
Booth--Child--Winter--Unicorn and Pinnox
Works--Greenfield Works--Newfield Works--George Street
Pottery--Phœnix Works--Sandyford--Lion Works--Victoria
Works--Swan Bank Works--Church Bank Works--Well
Street Works--Old Works--Black Bank--High Street
Works--Woodland Pottery--Greengate Pottery--Sandyford
Works--Tunstall Works--Highgate Pottery--Clay Hill
Pottery--Royal Albert Works--Soho Works--Marshall &
Co.--Walton--Stevenson--Birch--Eastwood--Shorthose
& Co.--Heath &
Son--Newcastle-under-Lyme--Tobacco-pipes--Charles
Riggs--Garden Edgings--Thomas Wood--Terra Cotta
Works--Armitage--Lichfield--Penkhull, &c. 423
CHAPTER XI.
Swansea--Cambrian Pottery--Dillwyn’s Etruscan Ware--Swansea
China--Glamorgan Pottery--Rickard’s Pottery--Landore
Pottery--Llanelly--South Wales Pottery--Ynisymudw--Terra
Cotta Works--Nantgarw--Billingsley--Nantgarw
China--Brown and Stoneware Potteries--Cardigan--Cardigan
Potteries--Hereford--Lugwardine Tile Works--Torquay--Terra
Cotta Works--Alderholt--Smethwick--Reading--Coley Avenue
Works--Wakefield Moor--Houghton’s Table of Clays--Ditchling
Pottery, &c.--Amblecote--Leicester--Spinney Hill
Works--Wednesbury--Winchester--Aylesford--Exeter--Lincoln 435
CHAPTER XII.
Irish Ceramics--Early Pottery of Ireland--The
Cairns--The Crannogs--Mediæval Pottery of
Ireland--Dublin--Delamain--Stringfellow--Grants by
Irish Parliament--Donovan--Delft Ware--Brown Ware
Manufactories--Belfast--Leathes and Smith--Delft
Ware--Coates’ Pottery--China Works--Florence Court
Pottery--Coal Island Pottery--Youghal Pottery--Captain
Beauclerc’s Terra Cotta--Larne Pottery Works--Castle Espie
Pottery--Belleek China and Earthenware Works, &c. 459
CHAPTER XIII.
Early Pottery of Scotland--Cinerary Urns--Mediæval
Pottery--Glasgow--Delft Ware--Verreville
Pottery--Garnkirk Works--Gartcosh Works--Heathfield
Pottery--Glasgow Pottery--North British Pottery--Saracen
Pottery--Port Dundas Pottery Company--Hyde Park
Potteries--Britannia Pottery--Annfield Pottery--Bridgeton
Pottery--Barrowfield Pottery--Coatbridge--Glenboig
Star Works--Glenboig Fire-Clay Works--Cardowan and
Heathfield Works--Paisley--Ferguslie Works--Shortroods
and Caledonia Works--Paisley Earthenware Works--Crown
Works--Grangemouth--Fire-brick Works--Greenock--Clyde
Pottery--Dumbarton--Rutherglen--Caledonia
Pottery--Portobello--Midlothian Potteries--Portobello
Pottery--Kirkcaldy--Sinclairtown Pottery--Kirkcaldy
Pottery--Gallatown Pottery--Boness--Boness
Pottery--Prestonpans Pottery--Alloa--Alloa Pottery--The
Hebrides 499
CHAPTER XIV.
A List of Patents relating to Ceramics from 1626 to 1877 524
CERAMIC ART IN GREAT BRITAIN.
CHAPTER I.
Potteries of the Tyne, Tees, and
Wear--Newcastle-on-Tyne--Warburton Pottery--Newcastle Pottery
or Forth Banks Pottery--Stepney Bank Pottery--Ouseburn Bridge
Pottery--Ouseburn Ford Pottery--Ouseburn Potteries--Low
Pottery--South Shore Pottery--Phœnix Pottery--St. Peter’s
Pottery--Gateshead--Carr’s Hill Pottery--St. Anthony’s
Pottery--Sherriff Hill Pottery--Tyne Main Pottery--North
Shields--Low Light Pottery--South Shields--Tyne or Shields
Pottery--North Hylton--South Hylton or Ford--Southwick
Pottery--Wear Pottery--High Southwick Pottery--Deptford
Pottery--Monkwearmouth--Sheepfold Pottery--Sunderland Pottery
and the Garrison Pottery--Seaham Harbour--Newbottle--Bishop
Auckland--New Moor Pottery--Stockton-on-Tees--Stafford
Pottery--North Shore Pottery--Middlesborough-on-Tees--Wolviston
Pottery--Coxhoe Pottery--Alnwick.
The following brief account of the earthenware works of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne and its district, drawn up for the British
Association, in 1863, by Mr. C. T. Maling, one of the manufacturers,
may serve as an introduction to this chapter. “The manufacture of
white earthenware was introduced into this district by Mr. Warburton,
at Carr’s Hill Pottery, near Gateshead, about 1730 or 1740. Those
works were very successfully carried on for seventy years, when they
gradually declined, and in 1817 were closed. A small portion of the
building is still used as a brown ware pottery. The next manufactory
was built by Mr. Byers, at Newbottle, in the county of Durham, about
1755, where brown and white earthenware still continues to be made.
In 1762, Messrs. Christopher Thompson and John Maling erected works
at North Hilton, in the county of Durham; their successor, Mr. Robert
Maling, in 1817 transferred his operations to the Tyne, where his
descendants still continue the manufacture. St. Anthony’s, Stepney
Bank, and Ouseburn Old Potteries were commenced about the year 1780 or
1790. Messrs. A. Scott & Co. and Messrs. Samuel Moore & Co. erected
potteries at Southwick, near Sunderland, the former in the year 1789,
the latter in 1803. The pottery carried on by Messrs. John Dawson
& Co., at South Hylton, was built by them in 1800. The works of
Messrs. John Carr & Sons, at North, Shields, were erected in 1814.
Messrs. Thomas Fell & Co. built St. Peter’s Pottery in 1817. The
establishment of Messrs. Skinner & Co., Stockton-on-Tees, dates from
1824. There are now about twenty-five potteries in this district, of
which, on the Tyne, six manufacture white and printed wares, four
white, printed, and brown wares, and three brown ware only, employing
1,200 people, and manufacturing yearly about 12,000 tons of white
clay and 3,000 tons of brown clay, and consuming in the process of
manufacture about 34,000 tons of coals. On the Wear there are two
potteries manufacturing white and printed wares, two white, printed,
and brown wares, and two brown ware only, employing about 500 people,
manufacturing yearly about 4,000 tons of white clay, 1,500 tons of
brown clay, and consuming in the manufacture about 14,000 tons of
coals. On the Tees there are four potteries manufacturing white and
printed wares, employing 500 people, manufacturing 5,000 tons of white
clay and consuming 13,000 tons of coals. Two potteries at Norton
manufacture brown wares; the particulars of their operations the author
has not been able to obtain. The potteries in this district, being
situated upon navigable rivers, have great advantages over their inland
competitors, Staffordshire and Yorkshire. The expenses on clay from
sea freight and inland carriage average 13s. per ton to Staffordshire,
and 5s. per ton to this district; and in flints the advantage is still
greater, in Staffordshire the average being 19s. per ton against 4s.
6d. per ton here. Coals, although a little dearer here per ton, are
so much superior in quality that 80 tons of Newcastle coals are equal
to 100 tons of Yorkshire or Staffordshire coals. About 1858 Messrs.
Skinner & Co., of Stockton-on-Tees, first applied Needham & Kite’s
patent filtering press for expelling the surplus water from the slip,
which had formerly been done by evaporation. This is a much cleaner
and better process than the old system, and is now adopted by thirty
or forty potteries in England and Scotland. With the exception of
three potteries in this district and at Glasgow, machinery has been
very little applied to the manufacture of earthenware, and even at
these works not nearly to the extent to which it is capable of being
profitably adopted. One manufactory on the Tyne, Ford Pottery, having
the best machinery, supplies at least 80 per cent. of the jars used by
confectioners for marmalade and jam, &c., in England and Scotland. The
description of goods manufactured in this district is that used by the
middle and working classes, no first class goods being made here. The
principal markets, in addition to the local trade, are the Danish,
Norwegian, German, Mediterranean, and London, for exportation to the
colonies. The trade to the United States being so very small from here,
the American war has affected this district less than any other.”
The potteries of the Tyne are:--
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE.
_Warburton Pottery_ was established about 1730; its site was on
Pandon Dean, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Coarse ware was, I believe, its only
product. It was removed between 1740 and 1750 to Carr’s Hill, Gateshead
(which see).
* * * * *
_Newcastle Pottery_, or _Forth Banks Pottery_, commenced operations
about 1800, by Messrs. Addison and Falconer. Some years after it
passed into the occupation of Messrs. Redhead, Wilson, and Co., then
Messrs. Wallace and Co., who now make only brown ware, but formerly
manufactured white and printed ware also.
STEPNEY BANK.
The _Stepney Bank Pottery_ was established about 1780 or 1790, for
the production of the common earthenware. In 1801 it was occupied by
Messrs. Head and Dalton; in 1816 by Messrs. Dryden, Coxon, and Basket;
in 1822 by Messrs. Davies, Coxon, and Wilson; in 1833 by Messrs.
Dalton and Burn, who were succeeded by Mr. G. R. Turnbull, by whom the
character of the ware was considerably improved. About 1872 the works
passed into the hands of Mr. John Wood, who produces both white and
brown ware.
OUSEBURN.
_Ouseburn Bridge Pottery_ was commenced in 1817, by Mr. Robert Maling
(see North Hylton Pottery), who manufactured white and printed ware
chiefly for the Dutch market. He was succeeded, in 1853, by his son,
C. T. Maling, who in 1859 built Ford Pottery, and discontinued his old
works. They were re-opened under the name of the Albion Pottery, by
Bell Brothers, about 1863; next by Atkinson and Galloway, and lastly by
Mr. W. Morris, and were finally closed in 1872.
_Ford Pottery._--This pottery was built in 1859 by Mr. Christopher T.
Maling, son of Mr. Robert Maling, who, in 1817, had removed the Hylton
pottery[1] to Newcastle. The works were erected for the purpose of
manufacturing by machinery the various goods produced by Mr. Maling,
the main bulk of which are marmalade, jam, and extract-of-beef pots.
These are of a very fine and compact white body, with an excellent
glaze made from borax without any lead; and it is said that at least
95 per cent. of these pots used by wholesale manufacturers in Great
Britain are made at this establishment. The pots being entirely made
by machinery are necessarily much more uniform in size and weight and
thickness than those produced by any other process, and these, as well
as the excellence of body and glaze, are advantages which have been
appreciated. The mark used is simply the name or MALING impressed in
the clay, [image MALING]with, sometimes, the initial of the house for
whom they are made, as for “Keiller,” and so on.[image MALING and K]
* * * * *
_Ouseburn Pottery_ was built about the same date as Stepney Bank
Pottery, by Mr. Yellowley, who was succeeded by Messrs. T. and J.
Thompson, then by Mr. I. Maling; it was finally closed about 1864.
White, printed, and brown ware were its productions.
* * * * *
Another _“Ouseburn Pottery”_ was established, at the latter end of
last or the early part of the present century, by Mr. Ralph Charlton,
who carried on the business on a small scale for the manufacture of
brown ware. On his death he was succeeded by his son, John Charlton,
who after a few years gave up the business, and was succeeded by Mr.
George Gray who, or his predecessor, enlarged the kilns, &c. Mr. Gray
was succeeded in the business by Messrs. Morrow and Parker, from
whose hands it passed into those of Mr. Rogers, who erected another
kiln and otherwise extended the buildings. It was next worked by Mr.
William Blakey, who held it until 1860, when it passed into the hands
of Messrs. Robert Martin and Co., who still continue the business. The
goods made are brown ware, and brown ware lined with white, in all the
usual classes of domestic vessels.
Another “Ouseburn Pottery,” established some years ago, passed in 1860
into the hands of Mr. John Hedley Walker. Its productions are plain
and ornamented flower-pots, chimney-pots, and horticultural vessels of
various kinds, as well as the lead-pots and lead-dishes which are so
extensively used in the lead works of the district.
* * * * *
The _Low Pottery_, identical with the Ouseburn Pottery, now
discontinued, was carried on by Messrs. Thompson Brothers, for the
manufacture of white and Sunderland wares.
* * * * *
_South Shore Pottery._--Now discontinued.
* * * * *
_The Phœnix Pottery_ was built by John Dryden and Co., about 1821,
for the manufacture of brown ware. White and printed ware were made
afterwards. About 1844, it passed into the hands of Messrs. Isaac Bell
and Co. for a short time; it was afterwards purchased and carried
on by Messrs. Carr and Patton (who at same time had North Shields
Pottery); it was then carried on by Mr. John Patton; next by Messrs.
Cook Brothers, who discontinued manufacturing earthenware in 1860, and
converted the premises into a Chemical Factory.
Mr. John Charlton had also a small manufactory in the Ouseburn.
* * * * *
_St. Peter’s Pottery_ was established in 1817 by Messrs. Thomas Fell
and Thomas Bell under the style of “Thomas Fell & Co.,” by whom it
was carried on until 1869, when it became a limited liability company
under the same title; the shareholders being the descendants of the
original proprietors. The productions are still, as they have always
been, the ordinary classes of common earthenware, in white, printed,
and sponged varieties. The mark was formerly an anchor with the letter
_F_ [anchor] (for “Fell”) on one side, and the workman’s mark or number
on the other, impressed in the body of the ware. Later on this mark was
discontinued, and the name FELL substituted. Under the company only
printed ware is marked, and that bears the name FELL & Co.
* * * * *
_St. Anthony’s Pottery._--This is one of the oldest potteries for
fine ware on the Tyne, being established about 1780, but nothing is
known as to its earlier history. In 1803 or 1804 it passed into the
hands of a Mr. Sewell, in whose family it has continued to the present
day, under the styles of “Sewell & Donkin,” and “Sewell & Co.” The
following particulars were furnished to me by the aged manager of the
works, Mr. T. T. Stevenson:--
“I cannot go back to say when first begun as a Small White and
Common Brown Ware Works, but about 1803 or 1804 it was taken
by the Sewells, and gradually extended by them for Home trade
until 1814 or 1815, when a considerable addition was made to
manufacture entirely for exportation, chiefly _C.C._ or Cream
Coloured, Painted, and Blue Printed, and when I came to the
Works in 1819, the description of ware then produced say about
five Gloss Ovens and two or three Enamel Kilns per week, say
C.C. and best Cream Colour to _imitate Wedgwood’s_ Table Ware
then made in considerable quantities for Holland and other
Continental markets, all kinds of Biscuit Painted, Printed very
dark engraved patterns, also Stamping with _Glue_, and Printing
on the Glaze from Wood Engravings, also with _Glue_, I believe
the first that was done in this way, Gold and Silver lustre,
&c. So it has been continued up to the present period by the
Sewell family; but latterly not doing so much business, owing
to a change of partnership, and is at present in the market for
sale since the death of Mr. Henry Sewell, the natural son of the
late Joseph Sewell, who was the Potter for nearly sixty years,
and was a noble specimen of a good master and the old English
gentleman.”
The fact of printing on pottery from _wood_ engravings, being practised
at these works, is highly interesting, as I have been enabled to
ascertain that engravings by Bewick were thus brought into use;
specimens are, however, very rare. In the Museum of Practical Geology
are examples of St. Anthony’s ware; they bear the marks--
SEWELL
SEWELL & DONKIN
SEWELLS & DONKIN
SEWELLS & CO.
GATESHEAD.
The _Carr’s Hill Pottery_ was the first manufactory for white ware in
the North of England. Painted, enamelled, and brown ware was also made.
It was established about 1750, by a Mr. Warburton, who removed to this
place from Newcastle (see Warburton Pottery), and was successfully
carried on by him and his successors until 1817, when it was closed. A
part of the premises was afterwards carried on by Messrs. Kendall and
Walker, and later still by Messrs. Isaac Fell and Co.
SHERRIFF HILL.
_Sherriff Hill Pottery._--These works are carried on by Mr. George
Patterson, as the successor of the firm of Jackson and Patterson. His
chief productions are white ware, which are supplied largely to the
Norwegian Markets.
Messrs. Lewins and Parsons are also stated to have had a pottery here
for the manufacture of the common kinds of earthenware.
* * * * *
_Tyne Main Pottery_, on the opposite side of the river to St. Peter’s,
was built by Messrs. R. Davies and Co., in the year 1833, and carried
on by them, manufacturing white, printed, and lustre ware, chiefly for
the Norwegian market. It was closed in 1851. Mr. R. C. Wilson, the
managing partner, then commenced manufacturing at Seaham Harbour.
There was also a pottery at Heworth Shore, carried on by Patterson,
Fordy, and Co. It was closed about 1835.
There was also a pottery at Jarrow for a few years, which manufactured
brown ware only.
NORTH SHIELDS.
The “_Low Light Pottery_” was established in 1814, by Mr. Nicholas
Bird, and afterwards passed from him, in or about 1829, to Messrs.
Cornfoot, Colville, and Co. The firm was afterwards changed to
Cornfoot, Patton, and Co., and on the withdrawal of Mr. Cornfoot,
and the addition of Mr. John Carr, the style was changed to that of
“Carr and Patten.” Next the firm was “John Carr and Co.,” and when the
concern became the property of the first of these partners, the late
Mr. John Carr, he and his sons carried it on under the style of “John
Carr and Sons.” It is still continued by the same family under that
style. Originally brown and black wares of the usual common kinds were
made, in addition to the ordinary earthenware, but in 1856 these were
discontinued, and the ordinary white earthenware in cream coloured,
printed, painted, and lustred varieties substituted; these are the
only productions of the firm. These goods are exported principally to
the Mediterranean ports and to Alexandria, for transport to Cairo, and
by the Red Sea to Bombay, &c. It is for these markets that the goods
are mainly manufactured. In brown ware, common mugs, butter-jars,
pancheons, milk-pans, &c., were produced; and in black ware, Egyptian
black and smeared tea-pots, cream ewers, and other articles were
produced. The mark, which, however, has been but seldom used, is a
stag’s head.
SOUTH SHIELDS.
The _Tyne_ or _Shields Pottery_ was established about 1830, by a Mr.
Robertson, from whom, about 1845, it passed into the hands of Mr. John
Armstrong; by whom the works were considerably enlarged. In 1871 the
concern was purchased by Messrs. Isaac Fell and George Shields Young,
by whom it is still carried on under the style of “Isaac Fell and Co.”
The goods manufactured are “Sunderland” and “brown” wares, of which
large quantities are shipped for the Continent, as well as supplied
to the London, Scottish, and other home markets. The goods are, as
usual, made from the common brick clay, and after drying are lined
inside with white slip; and they are glazed with lead glaze. The “Tyne
Pottery” is, with the exception of the works of Messrs. Harwood, at
Stockton-on-Tees, the largest in the district for this kind of pottery.
The Potteries of the Wear are:--
NORTH HYLTON.
A pottery was established here in 1762, by Messrs. Christopher
Thompson and John Maling, for the manufacture of the ordinary brown
and white earthenware for the home trade, and also for France: the
first printed ware made in the North of England was manufactured here.
The works were also celebrated for their enamel and lustre wares. In
1817 their successor, Mr. Robert Maling, removed his works from Hylton
to the neighbourhood of Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he manufactured
principally for the Dutch markets. They were afterwards carried on by
Dixon, Austin, Phillips, and Co., who at the same time carried on the
Sunderland Pottery (which see).
In the Mayer Museum is an excellent example of this lustre ware. It
is a large jug, of creamy-white earthenware, very light, ornamented
with purple lustre in wavy lines, &c. On one side of the jug is an
engraved and coloured view of the iron bridge over the river Wear,
and underneath it (engraved and transferred from the same plate)
in three small ovals, with borders, &c., are the inscriptions:--“A
South-East View of the Iron Bridge over the Wear, near Sunderland.
Foundation-stone laid by R. Burdon, Esq., September 24th, 1795.
Opened, August 9th, 1796. Nil Desperandum. Auspice Deo.” “Cast Iron,
214 tons; Wrought do., 40.” “Height, 100 feet; Span, 256.” “J.
PHILLIPS, HYLTON POTTERY.” On the other side of the jug is another
engraving, having in its centre a tree, on one side of which, in the
distance, is a ship, and on the other a public-house. In the foreground
of the ship side of the tree is a sailor; and on the other a woman with
hat and feathers, an umbrella, and a little dog. Underneath are the
words--“Jack on a Cruise. ‘Avast there! Back your maintopsail.’” In
front of the jug, beneath the spout, in an oval, occurs the verse:--
“REST IN HEAVEN.
“There is an hour of peaceful rest
To mourning wanderers given;
There’s a tear for souls distrest,
A balm for every wounded breast--
’Tis found above in Heaven.”
In my own collection is another example of this white ware with purple
“lustre-splash” ornament. On one side is an engraving, in an oval, of
the same bridge; and around the oval the inscription--“A West View of
the Cast Iron Bridge over the River Wear; built by R. Burdon, Esq.
Span, 236 feet; height, 100 feet. Begun, 24 Sept., 1795. Opened, 9
Aug., 1796.” On the other side, a ship in full sail. Another example
is a punch-bowl. Like the others, it is decorated with purple lustre,
and with views, ships, and verses in transfer-printing. On the bottom,
inside, is a similar view of the Wear bridge to the one just described,
in an oval, with the same inscription. The inside is divided into three
compartments, in one of which is a ship in full sail, with the words--
“May Peace and Plenty
On our nation smile,
And Trade and Commerce
Bless the British Isle.”
in another, in a border of flowers, surmounted by a small ship, is this
verse:--
“Glide on, my bark, the summer’s tide
Is gently flowing by thy side;
Around thy prow the waters bright,
In circling rounds of broken light,
Are glittering as if ocean gave
Her countless gems to deck the wave.”
and on the third, is a similar border:--
“THE SAILOR’S TEAR.
“He leap’d into the boat,
As it lay upon the strand,
But, oh! his heart was far away
With friends upon the land;
He thought of those he lov’d the best,
A wife and infant dear;
And feeling fill’d the sailor’s breast,
The sailor’s eye--a tear.”
On the outside, are also three engravings. The first is a ship in full
sail; the next a border of flowers with a small “world” at top, with
the verse:--
“This is a good world to live in,
To lend, or to spend, or to give in,
But to beg or to borrow,
Or to get a man’s own,
It is such a world
As never was known.”
and the third has a border of flowers and the verse:--
“The loss of gold is great,
The loss of health is more.
But losing Christ is such a loss
As no man can restore.”
SOUTH HYLTON OR FORD POTTERY.
The works of Messrs. John Dawson & Co. were erected by them in 1800,
and were carried on by the firm until 1864, when, on the death of the
last of the family, Mr. Charles Dawson, they were closed and converted
into bottle houses; these were destroyed by fire. The flint mill was
taken by Mr. Ball, of the Deptford Pottery, who grinds large quantities
of flint for both home consumption and export. The mark was simply
the name “DAWSON” impressed in the ware. A part of the premises were,
several years afterwards, used as a brown ware manufactory, and later
still by Messrs. Isaac Fell and Co.
SOUTHWICK.
The _Southwick Pottery_ was built in 1788, by Mr. Anthony Scott, who
had, previously to that time, carried on a small potwork at Newbottle,
and it is still the property of one of his descendants, Mr. Anthony
Scott, and is carried on by that family, under the style of “Scott
Brothers and Co.” At these works, which are among the most successful
in the district, and where especial care is taken as to quality of the
productions, the usual classes of white, coloured and brown earthenware
are produced. In these works upwards of 150 “hands” are employed. The
goods are made for foreign markets, the greater part being exported to
Denmark and Germany. Messrs. Scott Brothers and Co., of these works,
stand--and deservedly so--high in the scale of manufacturers, and their
goods, whether of the finer or of the commoner classes, are in good
repute, and are well calculated for an extensive home trade.
* * * * *
The _Wear Pottery_, founded by Messrs. Brunton & Co., in 1803, and soon
after carried on by Messrs. Samuel Moore & Co., passed, about 1861,
into the hands of its present proprietor, Mr. Robert Thomas Wilkinson,
by whom it is carried on under the style of “Samuel Moore & Co.” The
goods manufactured are the ordinary descriptions of white, sponged, and
printed earthenware, and also brown ware, for the English, German, and
Danish markets.
* * * * *
The _High Southwick Pottery_, for Sunderland ware, is carried on by Mr.
Thomas Snowball.
* * * * *
_Deptford Pottery._--These works were established at Diamond Hall, in
1857, by Mr. Wm. Ball for the manufacture of flower-pots, in which he
effected many important improvements, one of the principal of which is
the “making them hollow footed, or with concave bottoms, with apertures
for drainage and air, and kept free from the attacks of worms. This
gives them a superiority over most, and has gained an extensive
patronage.” In 1863 the manufacture of “Sunderland Ware”--glazed brown
earthenware lined with white--was introduced, and is carried on very
largely for the London and Scottish markets. At these works, too,
suspenders, highly decorated, and other flower vases, seed-boxes, &c.,
are extensively made. Machinery has lately been introduced which very
much facilitates the manufacture of the ware.
MONKWEARMOUTH.
The _Sheepfold Pottery_, for Sunderland ware, is carried on by Messrs.
T. J. Rickaby & Co.
* * * * *
The _Sunderland Pottery_ or the _Garrison Pottery_, also established
by Mr. Phillips, and carried on by Dixon, Austin, Phillips, and Co.,
produced white and Queen’s ware, in all the usual variety of articles.
Sponged, printed, painted, and lustred earthenware were also produced.
The works are now discontinued. The marks were
PHILLIPS & CO.
_Phillips & Co._
PHILLIPS & CO.
SUNDERLAND, 1813
PHILLIPS & CO.
SUNDERLAND POTTERY.
In the Mayer collection is a well-painted quart mug, with allegorical
group of the arts, with the name “W. DIXON, 1811,” pencilled on the
bottom. Among other examples in the Jermyn Street Museum are a printed
coloured and lustred jug, bearing on one side the common view of the
bridge over the Wear, and on the other the Farmers’ Arms, while in
front are the words--“Forget me not,” within a wreath. It bears the
name DIXON AUSTIN & CO., SUNDERLAND. Figures were also produced, and
marked examples may be seen in the same museum. The name occurs in
various ways beyond those just given. Thus, among others, are “_W.
Dixon_,” “_Dixon & Co._,” “_Dixon & Co., Sunderland Pottery_,”
DIXON AUSTIN & CO
_Sunderland Pottery_
DIXON & CO
Sunderland Pottery
DIXON & CO
SUNDERLAND
SEAHAM HARBOUR.
A manufactory was built here about the year 1836 for the manufacture of
brown ware by Captain Plowright, of Lynn, and in 1838 it was altered
into a white and printed ware manufactory, by a number of workmen from
Messrs. Dawson and Co., of Hylton; it was closed about the year 1841,
and re-opened in 1851, by Mr. R. C. Wilson, and finally closed in 1852.
NEWBOTTLE.
These works were founded about 1755, by Mr. Byers, and he manufactured
both brown and white wares. They passed into the hands of Mr. Anthony
Scott, who carried them on until 1788 (see “Southwick”). They are now
discontinued. A pottery for the manufacture of common brown ware, and
flower-pots, &c., was also carried on by Messrs. Broderick, but is now
discontinued.
BISHOP AUCKLAND.
_New Moor Pottery_, at Evenwood, carried on by Mr. George Snowdon for
the manufacture of brown ware.
The potteries of the Tees are:--
STOCKTON-ON-TEES.
_Stafford Pottery._--Several earthenware manufactories have been
carried on at this place, and, at the present day, there are four
pot-works in operation, at each of which a considerable number of
hands are employed. The largest, called the “Stafford Pottery,” at
South Stockton, or Thornaby, was established, in 1825, by Mr. William
Smith, a builder of Stockton, for the manufacture of the ordinary brown
ware. Determining shortly afterwards to add the general earthenware to
its productions, he visited Staffordshire, and engaged and ultimately
took into partnership Mr. John Whalley, a Staffordshire potter of
considerable skill, to carry on the work. The firm commenced, under
the style of “William Smith & Co.” in January, 1826. In 1829, in order
further to extend the concern and increase its capital, a partnership
was entered into with Messrs. William and George Skinner, sons of Mr.
Skinner, banker, of Stockton, and continued for some years, when Mr.
George Skinner having purchased the interest of his brother, and of
Mr. William Smith, changed the name of the firm to that of “George
Skinner & Co.” By Mr. George Skinner and Mr. Whalley it was carried on
for some years, when the latter retired, and the management devolved
on Mr. Ambrose Walker, who, shortly after the death of Mr. Skinner
in April, 1870, succeeded to the business, and still carries it on
in connection with the executors of Mr. Skinner under the style of
“Skinner and Walker.” Mr. Walker is a native of Hanley, and in 1837,
when a boy, came to Stockton with his father, who at that time entered
the service of Messrs. Smith & Co. In 1843 he became junior clerk, and
was instructed in the art of potting by Mr. Whalley, who subsequently
transferred to him his valuable receipts.
It is worthy of remark that at these works for many years past, no
thrower is employed; this important branch of the art being entirely
superseded by machinery, for the application of which to potting the
firm has acquired a high reputation.
The goods manufactured were principally “Queen’s ware;” a fine white
earthenware; and a fine brown ware, which were shipped in large
quantities for Belgium, Holland, and some parts of Germany. I am
also informed that the firm at one time established a branch pottery
at Genappes, near Mons, in Belgium, sending workmen from Stockton;
and that the manufactory there was carried on under the style, of
“Capperman & Co.” One mark is--
W. S. & CO.
QUEEN’S WARE.
STOCKTON.
impressed in the body. Other examples have simply the words
STOCKTON.
or
S. & W.
QUEEN’S WARE.
STOCKTON.
or the same, without the initials impressed upon them.
In 1848 the firm consisted of William Smith, John Whalley, George
Skinner, and Henry Cowap, and in that year an injunction was granted
restraining them from using, as they had illegally done, the name of
“WEDGWOOD & CO.” or “WEDGEWOOD,” stamped or otherwise marked on goods
produced by them. The following is the official notification of this
matter, which I here reprint from my “Life of Wedgwood:”
“Vice-Chancellor of England’s Court,
“Lincoln’s Inn, 8th August, 1848.
“IN CHANCERY.
“_Wedgwood and others_ against _Smith and others_.
“MR. BETHELL on behalf of the Plaintiffs, Francis Wedgwood
and Robert Brown (who carry on the business of Potters, at
Etruria, in the Staffordshire Potteries, under the Firm of
‘Josiah Wedgwood and Sons’), moved for an Injunction against
the defendants, William Smith, John Whalley, George Skinner,
and Henry Cowap (who also carry on the business of Potters, at
Stockton, in the County of Durham, under the firm of ‘William
Smith and Company’), to restrain them and every of them, their
Agents, Workmen, or Servants, from stamping, or engraving,
or marking, or in any way putting or placing on the Ware
manufactured by them, the Defendants, the name ‘Wedgwood’ or
‘Wedgewood,’ and from in any manner imitating or counterfeiting
such name on the Ware manufactured by the Defendants since the
month of December, 1846, or hereafter to be manufactured by the
Defendants, with the name ‘Wedgwood’ or ‘Wedgewood,’ stamped,
engraved, or otherwise marked or placed thereon. M‘r. Bethell
stated that the trade mark ‘Wedgwood’ had been used by the
family of the Wedgwoods for centuries; he would not, however, go
further into the matter at present, because Mr. Parker appeared
for the Defendants, and it might become necessary--with whom,
and himself, it had been arranged by consent on Mr. Parker’s
application on behalf of the Defendants, for time to answer
the Plaintiffs’ Affidavits--that the Motion should stand over
until the Second Seal in Michaelmas Term next; and that in the
meantime the Defendants should be restrained as above stated;
except that for the words, ‘since the month of December,
1846,’ the words, ‘since the month of July, 1847,’ should be
substituted. Mr. J. Parker said he appeared for the Defendants,
and consented without prejudice; and on his application for time
to answer the Plaintiff’s Affidavits, the Court made an order
accordingly.
“On the 9th day of November, being the Second Seal in Michaelmas
term, 1848, Mr. E. Younge, as counsel for the above-named
Plaintiffs, moved for, and obtained, a perpetual Injunction
against the Defendants in the Terms of Mr. Bethell’s Motion,
substituting for the words, ‘since the month of December, 1846,’
the words, ‘since the month of July, 1874;’ the Defendants
consenting to pay to the Plaintiffs their costs.
“Solicitor for the Plaintiffs,
“SAMUEL KING,
“Furnival’s Inn, Middlesex.”
In 1845, Messrs. George Skinner and John Whalley took out a patent
for “certain improvements in the manufacture of earthenware pastes and
vitreous bodies, and also a new composition and material for the same,
with certain new modes of combination thereof, which improvements,
compositions, and combinations are applicable to the manufacture of
earthenware pastes, vitreous bodies, slabs, tiles, and pavement, and
various other useful and ornamental purposes, and is especially adapted
for grave indicators, hydrant indicators, etc., as it is impervious
to all weather and unaffected by change of atmosphere.” This consists
in “combining chalk or carbonate of lime in union with silica, flint,
or silex.” In the specification seven compositions are given, five
of which are for ware and the other two for glaze. The compositions
for ware are various “combinations of the above substances, and they
contain besides, some or all of the following substances, namely,
Cornwall stone, china clay, ball clay, felspar, helspar, or sulphate
of barytes.” The wares may be tinted with the oxides generally used.
Nos. 1 and 2 compositions do not require glazing; Nos. 3, 4, and 5 can
be glazed with glazes which either do or do not contain lead. In this
patent two glazes without lead are claimed. One of these is made of
felspar and chalk, and the other of chalk, silica, flint, or silex,
Cornwall stone, china clay, ball clay, and felspar, mixed in certain
proportions.
NORTH SHORE POTTERY.
The “_North Shore Pottery_” was established about 1840, by Mr. James
Smith, afterwards of Danby Grange, near Yarm, in Yorkshire, and was
carried on by his nephew, Mr. William Smith, Jun. (son of the William
Smith to whom I have alluded as the founder of the “Stafford Pottery”),
under the style of “William Smith, Jun., and Co.” Subsequently to
this the business was carried on successively under the styles of “G.
F. Smith and Co.” and “G. and W. Smith.” A few years ago the senior
partner, Mr. S. P. Smith, retired from the concern, and since then it
has been continued solely by Mr. William Smith, son of the founder and
still present owner of the works.
The classes of goods made at this pottery were both in white and
cream-coloured wares, and some of the examples of the first productions
are of excellent quality. The markets for which, principally, the
“North Shore Pottery” goods were and are made, are, besides the home
trade--which is principally confined to London and the South of
England--Holland, Germany, and Denmark. Large quantities of wares are
also exported to Constantinople, and other Mediterranean markets. The
goods now made are the usual classes of white earthenware, and printed
and coloured goods, in dinner, teas, toilet, and other services; bread,
cheese, and other trays of good design; mugs, jugs, basins, and all the
usual varieties of domestic vessels. In quality they equal the ordinary
classes of Staffordshire ware, and many of the printed patterns
(notably, perhaps, the “Danby”) are of a superior kind. The “sponge
patterns” for foreign markets are extensively used, and green-glazed
ware in flower-pots, &c., are also made.
The impressed mark at the present time is
W. S.
Stockton.
The printed marks, besides an ornamental border and the name of the
pattern, bear simply the initials W. S.
Other potteries are Mr. Ainsworth’s, at North Stockton, for white and
printed wares; Mr. Thomas Harwood “The Norton Pottery,” at Norton, for
Sunderland and yellow wares; and Messrs. Harwood Brothers, “_Clarence
Pottery_,” for Sunderland ware.
MIDDLESBOROUGH-ON-TEES.
The Middlesborough Pottery was established in 1831; the first oven
being fired in April of that year, and the first order shipped to
Gibraltar in September. They were the first public works established in
Middlesborough. From 1831 to 1844 the firm traded under the style of
“The Middlesborough Pottery Company,” and from that year until 1852 as
“The Middlesborough Earthenware Company.” From 1852 to the present time
the firm has traded under the name of the proprietors as “Messrs. Isaac
Wilson & Co.” The works, with wharf, occupy an area of about 9,702
square yards.
At the first commencement of the works the proprietors directed
their attention to the production of the better classes of ordinary
earthenware for the continental trade, and in the same year in which
the works were started, their present extensive warehouse at Roding’s
Mart, Hamburg, was established. The goods produced are the ordinary
“opaque china,” cream-coloured ware, and lustre enamelled ware in
dinner, tea, and toilet services, and all the general classes of
domestic vessels, enamelled flower pots, bread trays, &c. Some of these
are of very good quality, and the printed services are equal to the
more ordinary Staffordshire goods. The principal impressed marks, used
are the following--
The printed marks indicating the pattern have, in addition to the name
of the pattern (“Convolvulus,” “Trent,” “Nunthorpe,” &c.) the initials
of the firm, as “M. P. & Co.” for “Middlesborough Pottery Company,” and
“I. W. & Co.” for “Isaac Wilson & Co.”
* * * * *
_Wolviston Pottery_, now discontinued, formerly produced yellow ware.
* * * * *
_Coxhoe Pottery_, also discontinued, produced Sunderland ware.
ALNWICK.
There were formerly pot-works here; but no trace of them is now left,
save the name of the street, “Potter Gate,” where they existed. The
former name of this street was, in 1567, “Barresdale Street,” but
potters having there located themselves, it became gradually changed.
Another old street in this town now known as “Clayport,” was formerly
called “Clay-peth,” _peth_ being a provincialism for a steep road,
and _clay_ the nature of the soil; probably it was this clay that the
Alnwick potters turned to good account.