The Collector's Handbook to Keramics of the Renaissance and Modern Periods Part 16

CASTLEFORD, about twelve miles from Leeds. Here David Dunderdale established works in 1790 for the finer kinds of pottery, especially Queen's ware and the black Egyptian.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 270.--TEAPOT. _With ornaments in relief, of white ware edged with blue._]

SWINTON, near Rotherham. Initiated by Edward Butler in 1757, on the estate of the Marquis of Rockingham. In 1765 it was carried on by William Malpas, and in 1778 by Messrs. Bingley, Brameld, & Co., who enlarged the works, and made earthenware of a very superior quality.

Rockingham teapots, of a mottled chocolate colour, glazed inside with white, were in great repute. But the aims of the Messrs. Brameld were of a higher character, and some works of artistic merit were produced. When the Rockingham works were closed in 1842 many of the moulds were purchased by Mr. John Reed, and transferred to the Mexborough pottery.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 271.--TEAPOT.]

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE. There were some extensive manufactories here at the end of the 18th century for making Queen's ware, some of which is perforated like that of Leeds, and has wicker pattern borders. Some of the earthenware mugs have a pink metallic l.u.s.tre, and are ornamented with transfer engravings. On the inside was usually a toad in relief.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 272.--DISH. _Of Queen's ware, marked "fell."_]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 273.--MUG. _With printed monument of Lord Nelson; inside is a toad; marked "Fell & Co., Newcastle Pottery."_]

ST. ANTHONY'S, about 2-1/2 miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Established by Sewell & Donkin in 1780. Queen's ware and pink metallic l.u.s.tre, also printed subjects, were produced; pierced wicker baskets, like that of Leeds, were also made.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 274.--JUG. _With cupids in relief, coloured with pink metallic l.u.s.tred clouds._]

NOTTINGHAM. Stoneware was made here in the first half of the 18th century; it usually has a dark brown glaze, with a slightly metallic l.u.s.tre, is very hard and durable, and is frequently ornamented with outlines of stalks and flowers, especially the pink.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 275.--MUG. _Inscribed, "Made at Nottingham, the 17th August 1771."_]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 276.--JUG. _In the form of a Bear._]

GREAT YARMOUTH. A potter named Absolon about 1790 decorated pottery of the cream colour. The favourite subjects are single flowers and plants, with their names on the back of the piece.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 277.--PLATE.]

LOWESBY, in Leicesters.h.i.+re. A pottery was established by Sir Francis Fowkes, about the year 1835. Red terra-cotta with black enamelled ornaments, in imitation of Wedgwood, was made.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 278.--GARDEN POT.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 279.--VASE.]

BRISTOL. At REDCLIFFE BACKS a manufactory of Delft ware was carried on in the 18th century by Richard Frank.

At TEMPLE BACKS, Bristol, Joseph Ring, son-in-law of Cookworthy (after the porcelain works had been relinquished in 1777), opened a manufactory called the "Bristol Pottery." It was continued for many years, and about 1820 it was occupied by Messrs. Pountney & Allies. The articles produced were similar to those of the superior potteries in Staffords.h.i.+re.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BRISTOL (Redcliffe Backs)

FIG. 280.--TILES. _St. Mary Redcliffe Church._]

CADBOROUGH, near Rye in Suss.e.x. A pottery was established here early in the 19th century for the manufacture of common sorts of pottery, but some vases of glazed ware of elegant forms were also produced. The works are now carried on at Bellevue Pottery, Rye.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 281.--VESSEL. _In form of a pig._]

SWANSEA. Established about 1750; it was greatly enlarged by George Haynes in 1780, who styled it the "Cambrian Pottery." In 1802 the works were purchased by Lewis Weston Dillwyn, and about 1810 an improved ware was made which was termed _opaque porcelain_; with the a.s.sistance of Young, a draughtsman employed in delineating natural history, the ware became remarkable for its beautiful and truthful paintings.

The early Swansea ware was elegant in form, and frequently covered with a deep blue glaze.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 282.--DISH. _Mark, Swansea and letter C._]

GREAT BRITAIN

PORCELAIN

The manufacture of porcelain in England began much earlier than has been generally supposed, and the invention was patented in England by John Dwight of Fulham in 1671, while that at St. Cloud was not patented until 1702, thirty years afterwards.

WORCESTER. Although this manufactory originated more than a century and a half ago, and has always been carried on by private enterprise, it is still in a flouris.h.i.+ng state. It was established in 1751, chiefly through the exertions of Dr. Wall, a physician and a good practical chemist, who in conjunction with others formed the "Worcester Porcelain Company." The early productions were princ.i.p.ally of the useful description, and were sold at a cheaper rate than the wares of Bow and Chelsea. About the year 1757, the important method of multiplying designs upon the biscuit ware by means of transferring impressions of engraved copper plates to the surface, was adopted at Worcester almost at the same time as at Liverpool, the invention being in fact claimed by both; but specimens are found bearing the names of Sadler and Green of Liverpool, and Richard Holds.h.i.+p and Robert Hanc.o.c.k of Worcester, dated in the same year. Bat printing succeeded the printing from engraved or etched plates. This new style was accomplished thus: instead of the design being first printed upon paper and then transferred, the plate was stippled with a fine point by London artists after designs of landscapes, sh.e.l.ls, fruit, and flowers by Cipriani, Bartolozzi, Cosway, and Angelica Kauffmann, who were so fas.h.i.+onable about the end of the 18th century. The copper plate being carefully cleaned, a thin coating of linseed oil was laid upon it, and removed by the palm of the hand from the surface, leaving the oil in the engraved spots; instead of paper, bats of glue were used, cut into squares of the size of the engraving; one of these bats was pressed on to the plate, so as to receive the oil out of the engraved holes, and laid on to the china, transferring the oil to the surface; it was then dusted with the colour required, the superfluous colour being removed carefully with cotton wool, and the china was then placed in the kiln.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 283.--CUP AND SAUCER.]

In 1783 the Worcester porcelain works were purchased by Mr. Thomas Flight, from whom they afterwards pa.s.sed to Messrs. Flight and Barr; the princ.i.p.al painters at this time were: J. Pennington, who painted figures; S. Astles, flowers; G. Davis, exotic birds in the Chelsea style; Webster, landscapes and flowers; J. Barker, sh.e.l.ls; Brewer of Derby, landscapes; while Thomas Baxter, an accomplished artist, painted figure subjects.

The Worcester works remained with Messrs. Flight & Barr until 1840, when the two princ.i.p.al manufactories of Worcester--that of Flight & Barr, and that of the Messrs. Chamberlain, were amalgamated; the plant and stock were removed to the premises of the latter, and the new firm was styled Chamberlain & Co. The last-named works were established by Robert Chamberlain in 1786; he was the first apprentice at the Old Worcester Porcelain Company, and he and his brother Humphrey took premises in High Street. At first they only decorated porcelain, which they bought of Turner of Caughley; but they afterwards manufactured largely on their own account, and their business increased to a great extent, being patronised by the royal family.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 284.--PORTION OF A TEA SERVICE. _j.a.panese pattern, blue, red, and gold._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 285.--PORTION OF A TEA SERVICE. _Transfer coloured, and partly gilt._]

These two works which were united in 1840, remained so until 1852, when Messrs. Kerr & Binns became the ostensible proprietors. In 1862 another Joint Stock Company was formed, Mr. R. W. Binns having the direction of the artistic department and Mr. Edward Phillips being general superintendent.

SWINTON, near Rotherham. The manufacture of porcelain at the ROCKINGHAM WORKS was introduced, under the patronage of the Earl Fitzwilliam, about the year 1823 by Thomas Brameld, who spared no expense in endeavouring to bring it to perfection. The china was of a superior description, and the painting and decoration were of a high character. In 1832 royal patronage was obtained and a magnificent service was ordered by King William IV.; instead, however, of placing the firm in a flouris.h.i.+ng condition, it was actually the cause of its ruin, for the expense incurred by the engagement of first-cla.s.s artists, and the super-abundance of gold employed in decorating the service, resulted in so great a loss that the manufacture was totally discontinued a few years after.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 286.--PLATE.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 287.--VASE. _Centre-piece of the service made for King William IV._ Height 14 in.]

DERBY. The earliest manufactory was called "The Derby Pot Works," and was carried on at c.o.c.k Pit Hill by Messrs. John and Christopher Heath for pottery and porcelain. It is said to have been on an extensive scale, but little is known of its operations. The proprietors, who were bankers in Full Street, became bankrupt in 1780, when the stock was sold and the works discontinued.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 288.--GROUP. _Chelsea Derby._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 289.--PAIR OF VASES. _Chelsea Derby._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 290.--PLATE. _With flowers by Billingsley._]

The "Derby Porcelain Manufactory" was founded in 1751 by William Duesbury; the first productions were chimney ornaments, lambs, sheep, and services for the table, but it was probably not until he purchased the Chelsea works in 1769 that any great reputation was acquired, and few if any of the early specimens can be identified. Some beautiful examples of porcelain painted in the Chinese style were produced about this time, but as the rage for oriental ware seemed so prevalent, the proprietor, to insure the sale of his china, copied the Chinese marks as well as the style of decoration. Crown Derby was produced from 1780, and was continued by Bloor, the successor of Duesbury, as late as 1830.

After the purchase of the Chelsea and Bow works, the Derby porcelain manufactory rose to great importance, the proprietors having of course retained the best workmen who had been engaged there. In fact, with all the models and moulds, the mixers, throwers, and painters of those two great establishments, the manufactory may be considered as the Chelsea and Bow works continued in another locality. Upon the death of William Duesbury, in 1785, his son William continued the business, and a third William Duesbury succeeded in the beginning of the last century. About 1815, Robert Bloor took over the works, which were altogether closed in 1848. An offshoot, however, is still carried on.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 291.--CUP, COVER, AND SAUCER. _Crown Derby._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 292.--SCENT VASE. _Crown Derby._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 293.--CUP, COVER, AND SAUCER. _Crown Derby._]

BURTON-ON-TRENT. A manufactory of earthenware was established here early in the last century, and from about 1839 porcelain was made for seven years.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 294.--COMPORT.]