Chapter 19

Figs. 429 to 431.

The marks used by Messrs. Davenport have been various, but almost in every instance the anchor has been the distinguishing characteristic; it is the trade mark of the firm. The crown was first used by them, on the Royal Service for William IV., and is now generally used on porcelain services. Figs.429 to 436are impressed marks.

Figs. 432 to 436.

The printed marks are, a circular garter, bearing the words DAVENPORT LONGPORT STAFFORDSHIRE, surrounding an anchor and the words “Stone China” in script. Another is a shield, with the words 30 CANNING PLACE LIVERPOOL 82 FLEET STREET LONDON encircled by a garter bearing the words DAVENPORT LONGPORT STAFFORDREand surmounted by the crest, an anchor on an heraldic wreath. Another has a circular garter, bearing the words DAVENPORTS & CO. surrounding the address, 82, FLEET STREET LONDON.

Longport Terra Cotta.—At the 1851 Exhibition Mr. W. Marsh, (modeller at Davenports’) of Longport, exhibited a very successful example of terra cotta produced by him. It was a wine-cooler of bold and good design. It is engraved on Fig.414. In the earlypart of this century Messrs. Samuel Marsh & Co. were manufacturers at Brownhills.

Fig. 437.

Brownhills.—About 1782 Mr. John Wood (son of Ralph Wood, of Brownhills, and Mary Wedgwood) built a manufactory, with house adjoining, on property originally belonging to the Burslem and Wedgwood families, which he had purchased of Thomas Lovatt. Here he carried on the potting business until his death in 1797, when he was succeeded by his son, Mr. John Wood, who continued it until 1830, when he took down the manufactory, enlarged the house, and extended the grounds.

Littler.—William Littler, of Brownhills, whose father had carried on a business as potter there, was the first man in Staffordshire who attempted the making of china ware. “He commenced business about 1745 when he attained his majority, and a few years afterwards removed the seat of his manufacture to Longton Hall, where he prosecuted his experiments with very good success, as regarded the beauty and delicacy of his china, but with disastrous results to himself, for he soon sacrificed his patrimony in the speculation, andwas obliged to abandon it. The specimens we have seen of Mr. Littler’s china exhibit great lightness and beauty, and would certainly have won their way in after times. Mr. Littler had the merit of first making use of the fluid glaze which Mr. Enoch Booth afterwards improved upon.”—(Ward.) Littler’s pot-works have long disappeared. Some specimens of Littler’s porcelain are preserved in private collections, and one or two are in the Hanley Museum; to one of these is attached the following note in Enoch Wood’s handwriting: “This was given to Enoch Wood by William Fletcher, in January, 1809.”

Marsh and Haywood.—This firm formerly carried on business here as manufacturers of general earthenware, as did also Mr. John Wood, at Highgate.

Brownhills Works.—These works (formerly Marsh and Haywoods) were for many years carried on by Mr. George F. Bowers, who attained a fair reputation for china goods, and gained a medal at the Exhibition of 1851. Subsequently he commenced the manufacture of earthenware, which he continued until his death, when he was succeeded by his son, Mr. Frederick F. Bowers. On his failure in 1871 the manufactory was purchased by Mr. James Eardley, of Alsager, and it is now carried on by his son and sons-in-law, Messrs. Alfred J. Eardley, Edwin Meir, William H. Bratt, Robert H. Parker, and George Hammersley, under the style of “The Brownhills Pottery Co.;” considerable alterations and extensions have been made in the buildings. The goods produced by the Company are of the usual useful classes of table, tea, toilet, and other requisites, in fine earthenware, stoneware, buff, turquoise, and cream-coloured ware; and in decorations of the fine earthenware services improvements have been effected by which the printing of enamel upon the glaze, and lining on the bisque, are effected. The last is produced at considerable less cost than enamel lines, and while making a tolerably near approach in point of colour, is more durable, because protected by the glaze. The body and glaze are of good quality, and the decorations, whether printed or painted, are of good average character. In dinner services some of their more recent patterns, are the “Premier,” “Pagoda,” and “Dragon,” which are produced both printed and enamelled; their most successful shapes are the “Bulrush,” “Laurel,”and “Boston.” In toilet ware their “Greek” shape, is remarkably good, and is made in various degrees of decoration. In stone ware, some excellent designs in tea-pots, jugs, &c., are produced, as are also jugs and other useful articles in cream ware; the adaptations of Japanese ornamentation in the former are highly successful. In jet ware, which is of good quality, tea-pots, jugs, and other articles are made, and some of those are highly decorated in enamel and gold; the firm also have a process of printing in yellow upon the glaze of their jet goods, which produces a cheap and somewhat effective class of decoration. Another speciality is a rich full deep-red terra cotta, highly glazed, and elaborately decorated in a variety of effective patterns in enamel and gold; in this, toilet services of good design and novel appearance are largely made. In ornamental goods the Company produce vases of various forms (notably among which are the “Hindoo,” “Milan,” “Pekin,” and other designs); scent jars, flower tubes, and stands, and other articles. The productions are of a good useful quality, decorated in a more than ordinarily artistic style; many of the designs (notably the “Briony” pattern toilet services, “Lorne” tea-pots, &c.) are good, and the colours faultless. The marks used, besides the name of the pattern, “Minerva,” “Link,” “Laurel,” &c., bear the initialsB. P. Co., with ribbon, &c., printed on the ware.

New Bridge Works, Longport.—This manufactory, spoken of on page 283 as one of those carried on by Messrs. W. Davenport and Son, in 1877 passed into the hands of Mr. Edward Clarke, formerly of the Church Yard Works at Burslem, and of the Phœnix Works at Tunstall (both of which see), who removed thither from the last-named place. In that year Mr. Clarke took into partnership Mr. F. J. Emery, the inventor of the process of crayon drawing and painting on the bisque surface, referred to on page 295. Mr. Clarke, whose productions both at Burslem and at Tunstall are spoken of in other parts of this volume, produces the finest, hardest, and most durable earthenware in “white granite” for the American markets, where it takes and maintains the highest rank. He also produces all the usual services in various styles of decoration, for the home trade. The mark used by the new firm is the name “EDWARD CLARKE & CO.”

Waterloo Road Works, established in 1820 (on the site of a very oldpottery “on Bournes Bank,” afterwards worked by William Harrison) by Mr. Thomas Hughes (grandfather, of the present owner), and carried on by him and his successors, Stephen Hughes & Co., till about 1856, since which time they have been continued solely by the present Mr. Thomas Hughes, by whom the whole place has been enlarged, improved, and modernised. The manufactory is now considered to be one of the best arranged in the town. The goods produced are all the usual articles in the hard durable “granite” or so-called “ironstone china” for the American markets; they are of good quality, and are produced both light and heavy to meet various requirements. Goods are also, to some extent, produced for the home trade. The mark, stamped on the ware, is

THOMAS HUGHESIRONSTONE CHINA

Cobridge Works.—The manufactory of Messrs. W. Brownfield & Son was erected in 1808, and from that time for a few years was worked by Messrs. Bucknall & Stevenson, and afterwards by Mr. A. Stevenson alone. In 1819 the works were closed, and afterwards passed into the hands of Mr. James Clews, who continued them until 1829, when they were again closed. His mark was a crown and his name, thus—

CLEWSWarranted StaffordshireFig. 438.

CLEWSWarranted Staffordshire

Fig. 438.

Fig. 439.

In 1836 the premises were opened by Messrs. Robinson, Wood, & Brownfield, and after Mr. Robinson’s death, in the same year, were continued by Wood & Brownfield. In 1850 Mr. Wood retired, and the business was continued solely by Mr. Brownfield (who died in 1873) until 1871, when he was joined in partnership by his eldest son, Mr. William Etches Brownfield, and from that time to the present the firm has been carried on under the style of “W. Brownfield & Son.” The goods produced during the earlier period of the works were the ordinary white, blue printed, and sponged varieties of earthenware. From 1850, when the works became the sole property of Mr. Brownfield, rapid strides were made in the improvement of the wares, and under the presentfirm they have become equal to any others produced. In earthenware, which, both in body and glaze, is of more than average quality, Messrs. Brownfield & Son produce white, printed, enamelled, and gilt wares, from the simplest to the more elaborate and costly patterns, in table, toilet, and dessert services, and all the usual articles for household use. Many of the printed patterns are well designed, and in the better classes of goods the enamelling and gilding are very effective. Some of the most successful are imitations of the grand old patterns adopted by Mason on his ironstone china. The stoneware jugs produced are a speciality of this firm, and take a foremost rank; in quality of body they are remarkably good; while in form, in modelling, and in decoration they are of equal excellence. The group Fig.439represents some examples from the Exhibition of 1862, where the firm, as well as at Paris in 1867, received a medal. Tea services, tea-kettles, tea-pots, flower-pots, vases, jardinière, trinket services, and other goods, are also produced in earthenware in every style of decoration. Notably among these is a remarkably well-designed and elegant strawberry tray, formed of shells and strawberry leaves, with a seated Cupid inthe centre at the back; it is particularly artistic, both in composition, in execution, and in colouring.

In 1871 the manufacture of china was added to that of earthenware (new buildings being specially erected for the purpose), and the productions in this department have made rapid strides towards perfection. In china, dinner, tea, breakfast, dessert, and other services, jugs, and a variety of useful articles, as well as vases and other fancy goods, are produced. Messrs. B. & S. have, in this branch, produced some novel and very effective designs in dessert services, centre-pieces, fern and flower-stands, &c., and some of their vases are of the highest style of excellence. Notably among these is a pair of magnificent vases, exquisitely painted, with Etty-like subjects of “Morning and Mid-day.” These are among the highest achievements of modern Art. Among the minor pieces is an oviform vase representing the hatching of the egg. The body of the vase is true to nature in colour—that of a sea-bird’s egg; the handles are formed of the heads, and the bird’s legs and feet form the stand.

Fig. 440.

The mark of the firm upon the printed goods was formerlyW & B,W B, orW B & S, in addition to the name of the pattern. The present mark on both earthenware and porcelain is—

Fig. 442.

Fig. 441.

The impressed marks are the Staffordshire knot (Fig.442), enclosing the initialsW B; and the nameBROWNFIELD.

The firm does a large home trade, as well as an export one toDenmark, France, Germany, Holland, Russia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, United States and other parts of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and other countries. The manufactory is very extensive; upwards of five hundred persons being employed.

Figs. 443 to 446.

Figs. 447 to 453.

T. Furnival & Sons.—This firm (who occupy two old manufactories, viz., those formerly belonging to Adams and to Blackwell) has been established about thirty years, and ranks high as manufacturers of white granite and vitrified ironstone, and decorated toilet wares, for the United States and Canadian markets, to which they ship large quantities of goods, as they do also printed goods to the continental markets. For the home trade Messrs. Furnival & Sons produce, in their beautiful “patent ironstone,” dinner and other services of various qualities in point of decoration. Among their more recent “specialities” are dinner services, &c, of rich Italian design (made for Pellatt & Wood), plain white, with a china-like surface and glaze; the ornamentation, which is indented, isproduced from an embossed mould, the lines being as fine and delicate as if cut in by the graver, so as to have the appearance of chasing; and the lines being filled with glaze the surface is still even. Other noted patterns are the “Dresden Flute” and “Lemon Knob” services. In crested services for the home markets a large and satisfactory trade is done. Another noticeable feature is the happy combination in services of transfer printing, hand painting, enamelling and gilding; some of the services, those decorated with grasses and insects especially, are of high artistic order, and show how advantageously the two processes can be combined. Our engraving shows a group of articles produced at that manufactory, which are remarkable for their elegant forms and for the simple beauty of their decorations. Another engraving exhibits a remarkably elegant flower-pot and stand, with relief figures and other decorations. But these are not a tithe of the beautiful articles produced by Messrs. Furnival. Among the more successful of their productions are the “Swan” and “Nautilus” toilet services, which are of great beauty. The body of the former ewer is oviform, with bulrush decorations in relief; the neck, mouth, and handle make a well-formed swan. These are produced in white, heightened with gold, and enamelled in colours. The “Nautilus” pattern has the mouth of the ewer formed of a nautilus shell and the handle ofcoral, while the decorations are sea-weeds, true to nature, both in modelling and in colour. The mark of the firm is simplyFURNIVALimpressed in the ware.

In connection with these works Mr. F. J. Emery, the then cashier to the firm, introduced, a few years ago, a method of crayon drawing and painting on the bisqué surface of earthenware and china. This beautiful process, which is especially applicable to tiles for fire-places, &c., but is also admirably adapted for the decoration of ordinary articles, has become much in repute, and exquisite drawings have been made in it by some of the first artists of the time, as well as by lady and other amateurs. The bisqué articles, and prepared crayons and colours, were supplied by Mr. Emery, who afterwards became a partner with Mr. E. Clarke at Longport.

Fig. 454.

Bates & Bennet(formerly John & Robert Godwin), are manufacturers of general earthenware of ordinary quality, the principal productions being what is called “Imperial measure ware” for the home markets.

Abbey Pottery.—(H. Meakin, late Edward Pearson.)—These works were, it is said, established in 1703. White granite ware, for the American markets only, has of late years been produced.

Villa Pottery.—This manufactory for general earthenware was carried on at the beginning of the present century, by Mr. Warburton. From about 1835 it was carried on by Messrs. Jones & Walley till 1850, from which time, until 1865, Mr. Edward Walley continued it. In the latter year it passed into the hands of Messrs. Wood, Son, & Co., its present proprietors, who confine themselves to the production of plain white granite ware for the American and other foreign markets. The mark is the Royal Arms and name of the firm.

Cobridge Works.—Established in 1836 by Messrs. Wingfield Harding & Charles Cockson, under the firm of Harding & Cockson, who produced ordinary china goods. In 1856, on the death of Mr. Harding, the business was continued, until 1861, by his sons, W. M. and J. B. Harding, in partnership with Mr. Cockson; and from 1862 to 1865 by Mr. Charles Cockson alone, during the whole of which time china was produced. In 1866 Elijah and David Chetwynd became partners, the firm being then Cockson & Chetwynd. In 1873 Mr. Cockson died, and the business was continued by his widow under the same style till 1876, when the former retired, and it again changed to Cockson & Seddon. In 1866 the making of china was discontinued and the manufacture of white granite ware, for the American trade, substituted. The mark is the Royal Arms and the name “Imperial Ironstone China, Cockson & Chetwynd,” or “Cockson & Seddon.”

Cobridge Works.—Messrs. Henry Alcock & Co., at these extensive works, which were formerly carried on by John Alcock, manufacture white granite ware exclusively for the American markets.

Elder Road Works.—This pottery has been worked by Messrs. Meakin & Co. since 1865, and is capable of turning out about 2,500 crates of ware annually. The productions are entirely confined to the white granite ware for the United States.

Warburton.—Pot works were established here by John Warburton very early in the last century; after his death they were continued by his widow, Ann Warburton. They are stated to have made white stoneware for Holland and the Continent, and to have ultimately brought over some workmen from Delft. Jacob Warburton, the son, succeeded to the business, and died in 1826, at the ripe age of eighty-four. His son, Peter Warburton, was one of the partners of the New Hall China Works (which see); to him is said by Shaw to belong the credit of printing in gold, and to his mother that of first using soda. In 1810, Peter Warburton took out a patent for “a new method of decorating china, porcelain, earthenware, and glass, with native, pure or adulterated, gold, silver, platina, or other metals, fluxed or lowered with lead or any other substance, which invention or new method leaves the metals after being burned in their metallic state.”

Daniel.—Ralph Daniel, a potter at Cobridge, employed in the early part of last century some workmen from Delft, and, to keep their process secret, started works at Bagnall for them. About 1743 he introduced the use of plaster of Paris moulds, such as he found were being used in France.

The potters at Cobridge in 1843 were Wood and Brownfield, John and George Alcock, Francis Dillon, Elijah Jones, Stephen Hughes and Co., Benjamin Endon Godwin, John Mayer Godwin and James Godwin, John and Robert Godwin, George and Ralph Leigh, and Coxon, Harding, and Co. Potteries also, early in last century, existed at Holden Lane, at Milton, and at Sneyd Green.

Other potters at one time or other at Cobridge are N. Dillon, R. Stevenson, Mansfield & Hackney, and Rathbone, Hill & Co.

Other manufacturers are W. E. Cartledge, Bournes Bank; W. Holdcroft; Hope and Carter; Thos. Hughes; Maddock & Co., formerly Maddock and Gater; C. Meakin; Oulsnam and Son; Pope and Co.; and Wade and Colclough.

In 1770 (Feb. 4th), the following Staffordshire potters signed an agreement as to prices:—John Platt, John Lowe, John Taylor, John Cobb, Robt. Bucknall, John Daniel, Thos. Daniel, junr., Richd. Adams, (Dr.) Saml. Chatterley, Thos. Lowe, John Allen, Wm. Parrott, Jacob Warburton, Warburton and Stone, Jos. Smith, Joshua Heath, John Bourn, Jos. Stephens, Wm. Smith, Jos. Simpson, John Weatherby, J. and Rd. Mare, Nicholas Poole, John Yates, Chas. Hassells, Ann Warburton and Son (T. Warburton), Wm. Meir. Other potters were Chas. and Ephraim Chatterley, W. Mellor, and Whithead.

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