Wirksworth.

Fig. 114.

Mr. Coke married in 1806 and settled at Debdale Hall, where he died in 1841, in his sixty-sixth year, leaving his estates to Lieut.-Col. Coke, their present possessor. At Debdale are preserved, with religious care, some of the finest examples ever made at Pinxton. These pieces were brought there by the founder of the works, Mr. John Coke just spoken of, and have remained there ever since. They consist of large semicircular spill-stands, mugs, &c., beautifully painted with views, one of which, a view of the family seat of Brookhill Hall, is remarkably fine. Some of the stands are grounded in the Dresden canary colour, and the whole are very choice and unique examples of Pinxton porcelain.

The group of china here engraved is a selection of pieces madeduring Billingsley’s time at Pinxton. The pieces are all remarkable for the beauty of the body and of the glaze, and some of them are also noticeable for the excellence of the gilding. The coffee-pot in the centre is one of a set bearing, in oval borders, views of different places either in Derbyshire or elsewhere. These landscapes are excellently painted, of a peculiar brownish effect which pervades the whole colouring, by James Hadfield, who was the best landscape painter at the works. The views on the pieces which have come under my notice are of local and other places: for instance, Pinxton Church, Darley Hall, Hartington Bridge, Ashwood Dale, Buxton, Wingerworth Hall, Tong Castle, Saltram, Menai Straits, Wanstead Church, Frog Hall, Caerphilly Castle, &c. The teapot and stand are of elegant shape, unusually narrow and carefully gilt; the stand is of peculiar form. The cup and saucer have the “Derby sprig” (Tournay sprig), as it is frequently called. The coffee-mug and flower-pot tell their own tale.

Fig. 115.

After the close of Billingsley’s connection with the Pinxton Works they were carried on by Mr. Coke with the assistance of a Mr. Banks. Afterwards Mr. Coke took Mr. John Cutts to manage the concern, and he became a partner in the works. In the later part of the time the manufactory was carried on by Cutts alone. At the close of the Pinxton Works, which took place about 1818, Mr. Cutts removed into Staffordshire—fixing himself at Lane End—wherehe commenced business; at first buying ware in the white and finishing it for sale. In 1811, Davies says, “There is a considerable porcelain manufactory at Pinxton, which finds employment for several hands.”

After Billingsley’s removal from Pinxton the character of the ware underwent a change. The granular body of which I have spoken as produced, and afterwards brought to such perfection, by him, was his own secret, and he zealously kept it. On leaving Pinxton this secret, naturally, went with him, and, of course, the goods produced after that time were of a different and much inferior body. The later ware approached pretty closely the ordinary china body of the time, and had a slightly bluish tint in the glaze. The decoration was also, as a rule, not equal to what it had been in the earlier days of the factory.

Among the workmen brought from Derby along with Billingsley, were Thomas Moore, a clever thrower; Ash, also a clever thrower and turner, and many others of repute. Among the painters, &c., were James Hadfield, a good landscape painter; Edward Rowland, a landscape painter; Morrell, who painted landscapes and flowers; Richard Robins, from London; William Alvey, and others, including Slater and Marriott. Alvey left Pinxton about 1803, and became master of Edingley School, near Southwell, where he died in 1867, aged about eighty-three. He had a numerous family, some of whom re-settled at Pinxton. Alvey was held in high respect at Edingley, and was possessed of remarkable natural gifts; he was an excellent musician, a clever draughtsman and colourist, a first-rate mathematician, a splendid penman, a very fair land-surveyor, and a poet of no mean order. He was fond of drawing and painting to the last.

No especial mark was used at the Pinxton Works. The number of the pattern was occasionally given, and sometimes a workman’s mark was added; and although other markswereused, none seem to have been adopted as distinctive of the works. A writing letterand a Roman capital letter P have both been noticed as occurring on isolated specimens. A tea service, named to me by Capt. G. Talbot Coke, bears, however, inside the lid of the teapot, the wordPinxton, written in gold letters. The service is of a beautifully clear white china, with broad edges of burnished gold; a handsome arabesque border of red, blue, and gold ornamenting each piece.

One peculiarity connected with the Pinxton China Works remainsto be noticed: it is the issuing of china tokens,i.e., tokens representing different values of money, made of china, and payable as money among the workpeople and others, including shopkeepers. These were issued in a time of difficulty, so that they were only temporary conveniences, and thus they possess great interest. They were of two distinct kinds. The general form was a circular disc of white china, thicker in the middle than at the edges—in fact, exactly of the form of a common magnifying glass—and bore on the obverse a figure of 5 in the centre, and the words, “Let the Bearer have in goods five shillings,” in four lines across. On the reverse a similar figure 5 and the words, “which place to account with John Coke, Pinxton. Decr. 24th, 1801,” in five lines across. The writing is in blue, and the tokens are well glazed. They were issued of various values, as 10s., 7s.6d., 5s., 3s.6d., 1s.6d., and 1s.respectively. The one here engraved belongs to W. S. Coke, Esq., of Brookhill, and I am indebted for it to his nephew Capt. J. Talbot Coke. Others bore, as shown on the next engraving, simply the figure of value, gilt or painted on an oval disc. These tokens were used as promissory notes, and when returned to the works by their holders their value in money was given for them, and they were broken up and destroyed. They were payable in and around Pinxton, on one side as far as Sutton, but their payment did not extend to Mansfield. They were called “Mr. Coke’s coin,” or “Chainé money” (china money), in the provincialism of the locality.[35]

Let theBearer have5in goodsfive shillingswhich placeto account with5John CokePinxton Decr24th1801.Fig. 116.

Let theBearer have5in goodsfive shillings

which placeto account with5John CokePinxton Decr24th1801.

Fig. 116.

7s.5s.Figs. 117 & 118.

7s.5s.

Figs. 117 & 118.

It is pleasant to see how the memory of the old china works at Pinxton is cherished by its inhabitants of the present day, among whom some of the people who worked there are still, at a ripe old age, living. One of these, in her eighty-fifth year, who began to work at the factory when but a child of some eleven years of age (at that time named Elizabeth Smith), and became ultimately the chief burnisher of the works, was, when I saw her a few years back, in full possession of all her faculties, and delighted in describing, with marvellous accuracy, all the processes employed. To her wonderful memory, and to that of others, as well as to documents and long personal research, I owe the information which I, in 1868, for the first time, gave in theArt-Journal, and now repeat, in regard to this interesting manufactory.

Wirksworth is much more intimately mixed up with the history of the Ceramic Art than is usually imagined, and yet but little is known of the works which were there carried on, or of their productions. Dugdale, in 1799, says, “About forty years ago, a manufacture of porcelain was attempted, but it proved unsuccessful.... It was in the Holland Manor House that the unsuccessful manufacture of porcelain was attempted;” and Davis, in 1811, repeats the same thing: “In the Holland Manor House the manufacture of porcelain was attempted, about forty years ago, but proving unsuccessful, it was relinquished.” Holland House, where this manufacture was carried on, was the Manor House of the manor of Holland, otherwise Richmonds, which was given by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, to Sir Robert Holland, in which family it remained until the attainder of Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter, in 1461; it afterwards belonged to Margaret, Countess of Richmond and Derby, and was subsequently granted by the Crown to Ralph Gell. In 1745, Philip Gell leased the manor to “Robert Atkinson and Francis Parry, of Lincoln’s Inn, gentlemen,” and to “Andrew Wilkinson, of Boroughbridge, com. York, Esq., and Thomas Wilkinson, Esq., brother of the said Andrew Wilkinson.” In 1777 it was “leased by Philip Gell, Esq., of Hopton, to Richard Arkwright, of Cromford, cotton merchant.”

In this latter lease (dated 6th November, 1777), the china works are thus named: “All those several messuages, tenements, ordwelling-houses, and all other buildings, warehouses, workshops, and appurtenances, situate, standing, and being in Wirksworth, in the said county of Derby, heretofore used for the making and manufacturing of China Ware, and now in the tenure or occupation of the said Philip Gell, his assignee or assigns, tenant or under-tenants.” So that at that time the first china works had probably ceased to be in operation. In 1793, by deed dated 1st November, Richard Arkwright, Esq., assigned the remainder of the lease to Charles Hurt, Esq., of Wirksworth, in the following words: “All those several messuages, tenements, or dwelling-houses, and all other the buildings, warehouses, workshops, and appurtenances, situate, standing, and being in Wirksworth, heretofore used for yemaking and manufacturing of china, but now for picking cotton.”

My late friend, Mr. T. N. Ince, to whom Wirksworth is indebted for much patient research into its early history, thus wrote to me regarding the china works, having at my request turned his attention to the matter:—“I much regret that I did not extract from the original deed of co-partnership, which I once had in my hands, at least its date, parties, and the like. My opinion is that it was begun about the middle of last century, and did not continue more than a few years. I know the Hurts of Alderwasley, Gells of the Gatehouse and Hopton, Sir Thomas Burdett of Foremark, and many others were partners—nearly the same who were partners in the English and Welsh Mineral Company, of whose concerns were many papers in a bundle in my grandfather and father’s office, labelled ‘Tissingtonv.Burdett and others;’ and amongst them, Mr. Julius Cæsar Robiglio, of Hopton, gentleman, who was said to have been present at a duel in Italy, in which the then Philip Gell of Hopton slew his antagonist and fled to England with Mr. Cæsar Robiglio, who, I have heard my mother say, was a most gentlemanlike man. He died at Hopton, and was buried at Wirksworth or Carsington. The premises called ‘China House Yard’ were afterwards the property of the late Charles Hurt, Esq., senr. His son, Charles Hurt, junr., died in 1834, on whose death it was sold to the late Mr. John Wilson, maltster; whose son, Mr. Daniel Wilson, wine merchant, is the present owner.” Mr. Wilson, who has examined his title deeds specially for me, tells me they contain no information as to the china works.

Some years ago, during excavations which were being made,portions of saggers and of china were found; some of these are in my own possession.

It is said that after leaving Pinxton and other places, Billingsley attempted to establish china works here; being probably led to do so by the fact of felspar being abundant in the neighbourhood. Of this, however, there is no proof. Earthenware is also said at one time to have been made here; but of this, also, there is no proof.

Encaustic paving tiles were made here, within the grounds of the abbey, in the fourteenth century. The remains of the kiln in which they were fired were discovered some years back, and in and around it were several tiles and fragments of tiles.

Fig. 119.

Vol. II.Plate I.MEDIÆVAL PAVING TILES MADE AT REPTON.

Vol. II.

Plate I.

MEDIÆVAL PAVING TILES MADE AT REPTON.

Encaustic tiles were made here in the fourteenth century, and the kiln in which they were fired, and a vast number of unfinished tiles and fragments of tiles, were discovered in 1866. The site of the tile works was within the old abbey walls, and was accidentally brought to light by the boys of Repton School, who were busying themselves in levelling a piece of land for their cricket ground. During their work they came upon patches of a stiff red clay with fragments of tiles; and, presently afterwards, found some regular layers of them, face downwards. Next they came upon masses of brickwork, which, upon careful clearing, turned out to be a kiln for the firing of the tiles. Of this, and of the tiles found within and around it, I made careful measurements and drawings, and some of these are shown on the accompanying engravings.[36]The kiln,Fig.119, consisted of two series of arches (each series consisting of six arches alternating with the same number of openings) over what may be termed two vaults, each 7 feet 6 inches long, by 2 feet 6 inches wide, and about 1 foot 10 inches in height. The arches were formed of chamfered bricks or tiles, those composing the actual arch measuring 7¼ inches in breadth at the square, or upper end; 2¾ inches in breadth at the lower end; 7¼ inches in length; 4½ inches in length on the square sides; 3½ on the chamfer; 1¼ inches in thickness at the upper end: and three quarters of an inch in thickness at the lower end. The basement, four inches in thickness, was formed of bricks or tiles. Upon this were built up, at distances of 4½ inches apart, the chamfered bricks from which the arches sprung, these being placed broadends together and so forming an hexagon. Between these the remainder of the wall, to a level with the top of the arches, was formed of encaustic tiles, which being 4½ inches square exactly fill up the width. These encaustic tiles, some hundreds in number, were of various patterns, but evidently unfinished, being quite soft and pliable. The floor of the vault was paved with tiles, and at the entrance was a stone wall on either side, and against the wall-pier was placed the curious relief tile, Fig.120.

Fig. 120.

The tiles and fragments of tiles exhibit some examples different in form, as well as in material and in design, from any others which have come under my notice. One of these, on Fig.121(repeated so as to form the complete pattern in a lozenge), is of very light stone-coloured clay. The foliated pattern is in very high and bold relief, and the whole face of the tile is covered with a rich green glaze. It measures 10 inches on its angles, and 14 inches from point to point on its base, and it is 1¾ inches thick. Fig.120is of the same material and general character; the pattern in high relief, and the face covered with green glaze. It measures 8 inches by6½, and is 1¾ inches thick. Another green glazed tile, also with the pattern in relief, is shown on Fig.123. Its design, which is extremely elegant, consists of the crowned initial of the blessed Virgin,each limb of the letter M terminating in a crowned letter A and foliage. This, I take it, simply means “Ave, Maria.”

Fig. 121.

Figs. 122 and 123.

Vol. II.Plate II.MEDIÆVAL PAVING TILES MADE AT REPTON.

Vol. II.

Plate II.

MEDIÆVAL PAVING TILES MADE AT REPTON.

Vol. II.Plate III.MEDIÆVAL PAVING TILES FOUND AT WIRKSWORTH.

Vol. II.

Plate III.

MEDIÆVAL PAVING TILES FOUND AT WIRKSWORTH.

Of the ordinary class of red and yellow tiles, a very large variety of patterns was found. These consisted of single, four, nine, and sixteen tile patterns of great beauty, and, in many cases, unusual intricacy; border tiles of strikingly beautiful design; heraldic tiles representing the armorial bearings of many local families of note, as well as those of the monarch, &c.; alphabet tiles, bearing the entire alphabet in Lombardic capitals; and grotesque, astronomical, and other devices. Some of these are represented on plates I. and II., and it is worthy of remark, as showing the extent to which this manufacture was carried by the monks at Repton, that tiles still existing in, or exhumed on the sites of, many of the old churches and religious houses of this and the adjoining counties, are identical with those discovered in this kiln, and are therefore proved to be of Repton make.

Figs. 124 and 125.

Another description (to which the same remark will also apply) of tiles found in this kiln is very peculiar. On these, the pattern, in sharp and tolerably fine lines, is simply indented, or incised, into the soft clay, and not filled in with “slip.” These, which for convenience I will call “incised tiles,” are of dark blue or black colour. Some of these patterns will be found in Figs.124 and 125. Another very singular unique tile of this class is given of its full size on Fig.122. It bears a head within a wreath, and is covered with green glaze. Another curious and unique tile, in which the simple deviceof four saltires within a square has been literallycutinto the clay, not impressed, was also found.

Figs. 126 to 128.

Having described the Repton kiln it will be well in the present chapter to give some few particulars of other remains of a like kind. In 1833, my late friend, Mr. H. Eginton, discovered a tile kiln on land formerly belonging to the Priory of Great Malvern. It consisted of two semicircular arches, strongly built, separated from each other by a thick and massive wall or pier. The length of the kiln was 35 feet, and the width of the openings 2 feet 3 inches. In each of the archways was a flooring of stone, about two feet from the ground, composed of three slabs in width; the centre one serving as a key-stone to the others, but more especially, in my opinion, so arranged as to allow the fumes of the charcoal to have proper access to the chamber where the tiles were placed. The place for the fire was on the ground, beneath this elevated flooring, and the earth from long action of the heat had become of extreme hardness, and had all the appearance of a thick pavement of limestone. There was no aperture for smoke, so that the process was literally that of the “smother kiln.” The arches were double, the outer being constructed of tiles, the inner of bricks, which from long action of the fire had become completely vitrified. The flooring on which the tiles were placed for burning was two inches in thickness, and at the time of the discovery a number of the tiles were found lying in their places as they did when the fire smouldered away beneath them four centuries before. The kiln was placed seven feet under ground—most probably to prevent injury to the structure from expansion by heat—and was firmly backed and bedded in with blocks of Malvern ragstone. The tiles found were identical with some of those now remaining in Great and Little Malvern churches. Another kiln wasdiscovered in 1837, at St. Mary Witton, near Droitwich. It consisted of arched chambers similar to those at Malvern, and separated from each other in like manner by a strong intermediate central wall or pier. The arches were 2 feet 2 inches in height, 2 feet 4 inches in width, and of several feet in length, and were partly composed of tiles, partly of brick, and highly vitrified with the heat. In them, as at Malvern, a considerable quantity of charcoal was found. Other remains of kilns have been discovered in Wiltshire, in Sussex, and in Staffordshire, and in the latter county the family name of Telwright, or Tilewright, doubtless taking its origin from makers of tiles, is one of great antiquity.

Fig. 129. Tile Kiln Discovered near Farringdon Road, London.

Another remarkably interesting kiln was discovered in London in the course of excavations in forming the Metropolitan Railway, close to the Farringdon Street Station. The kiln, which rests upon the natural bed of clay of the locality, was found about fourteen feet below the surface level of Turnmill Street, or the natural bank of the Fleet River. Over it was an immense accumulation of rubbish, doubtless caused by the Great Fire of London. An account of this kiln has been drawn up by my friend Mr. J. E. Price, to whom I am indebted for the view of the kiln engraved on Fig.129. It was about 16 feet long and 10 feet wide, and consisted of three parallel arches, which averaged 2 feet wide by 1 foot high, separated from each other by a pier of about 1 foot in width. These arches constituted the furnaces, and supported a level floor, which was pierced, at equal distances, with a series of openings each 2 feet long by 5 inches wide. Through these the heat would rise from below for firing the tiles. On the spaces between the apertures the tiles were probably placed for burning. There were thirty of these openings remaining, though in some instances the intervening spaces had fallen away. The entire structure is composed of plain tiles, similar to those used for roofing purposes.

A manufactory of coarse brown ware formerly existed at Little Chester near Derby. Fragments of various fictile vessels of much the same character as the Tickenhall dishes, and also of the same kind as the Chesterfield brown ware, have from time to time been found, as well as remains of a potter’s kiln. Nothing, however, is known regarding it.

A pottery existed at this place, as early, at all events, as the reign of Queen Elizabeth; probably much earlier. This is incontestably proved by remains which have from time to time been exhumed on the spot. There can, therefore, be no doubt that pottery has for more than three centuries been uninterruptedly made at this place. In 1650, Philip Kinder, in his collections towards a History of Derbyshire, preserved in the Bodleian Library, thus wrote:—“Numa Pompilius here might have learn’t his ‘Straine of Frugalities’! Here are your best Fictilias made you; earthern vessels, potts, and pancions, at Tycknall, and carried all East England through.” This is the earliest mention of Tickenhall pottery I have met with.

Figs. 130 and 131.

Pilkington (1789) says:—“Formerly a very large quantity of earthen ware was manufactured at this place; but lately the business has very much declined. It is said, that, since the land in the neighbourhood has been enclosed, it has been difficult to meet with proper clay.”

The ordinary coarse domestic vessels—“potts and pancions” as they are called by Kinder—were made, but beyond these there were many highly-decorated ones, with human heads for handles, &c.; some fragments of these are in the possession of Sir John Harpur Crewe, Bart., of Calke Abbey, to whom Tickenhall belongs. The ware was coarse, but very hard, the colour a dull brown, nearly black, in some instances with a yellow slip. Sometimes, however, it was of the ordinary red colour. A mediæval pitcher, or jug, inmy own possession, which was dug up here in the course of draining operations on the site of the old works, has the body of deep red clay, very hard and compact, and its upper part is covered with a dark glaze; it has been much blistered in firing. In Sir John Crewe’s possession is a pilgrim’s bottle, found here, of the ordinary shape. It is shown on Fig.130. He has also portions of two others, the most perfect fragment being nearly black, and the other of a reddish brown colour. Of these several other fragments have been found.

Fig. 132.

Two apparently well-authenticated examples of bowls, in the possession of Mr. W. Bemrose, jun., and formerly belonging to Mr. J. J. Briggs, are shown on Figs.131and132. They are of the ordinary class of earthenware (like those of the Tofts, Taylors, &c.), of a dark brown or chocolate colour, well glazed, and ornamented with a white slip. The larger one bears a very rude representation of a fox-hunt—a fox and three dogs, and a tree. The smaller one bears a somewhat gracefully thrown lily, and other ornaments. Another example, in my own collection, is the candlestick engraved on Fig.138. It is of precisely the same kind of ware, with white slip ornaments. The decoration of the base will be seen to bear a strong resemblance to the outer ornament of the large bowl.

Perhaps among the most interesting of existing examples are the fragments engraved on Figs.133 to 136. These are in the possession of Sir John Crewe, Bart., and are undoubtedly authentic, having been dug up on the spot. They are heads formed of a buff clay and “touched” with a darker slip. Figs.133 and 136show the front and back of the principal of these fragments. The head-dress and ruff indicate the period to be at all events about the reign of Mary or Elizabeth. Fig.134bears the plaited cap of the same period. They are all engraved of the full size. It will be seen on reference to Figs.137 and 139that, in general character, these heads bear a marked resemblance to some which were found in 1854 on the site of a mediæval potwork on the North Cliff at Scarborough. Another vessel there found is engraved in vol. i., Fig.299.

Figs. 133 to 136.

Figs. 137 to 139.

At this pleasant little village (so celebrated for its hall, now in ruins, where Charles I. passed a night, and as being the place from which the family of Hardinge, now represented by “Baron Hardinge, of Kings Newton,” takes its origin) one of the finest assemblages of examples of Anglo-Saxon Ceramic Art has been brought to light,[37]and here, in recent times, pottery of a good quality and excellent character has been made. The Anglo-Saxon urns[38]were, there can be no possible doubt, made from the same bed of clay from which the modern specimens have been produced, but it seems not to have been worked in intermediate times. About 1852 Mr. Henry Orton (brother to James Orton, author of “The Three Palaces,” “Excelsior,” &c., and himself a writer of no mean repute under thenom de plumeof “Philo”), then of the Chauntry House, Kings Newton, considering the bed of clay at this place well adapted for useful and ornamental purposes, erected workshops, sheds, and kilns, and commenced the manufacture of garden-vases, chimney-tops, flower-boxes and pots, brackets, and a large variety of other articles. These he produced both in their natural colour and surface-painted and gilded, and many of them were of excellent design. From one of the beds of clay a fine red terra-cotta was produced, and from another a fine buff colour was made. Mr. Orton was so impressed with the importance of these beds for ceramic purposes, that he caused a number of domestic and ornamental articles to be made in the Staffordshire potteries from Kings Newton clay, and the results were highly satisfactory. Circumstances, however, occurred which prevented his plans being matured, and after a large expenditure of time and money on his part they were abandoned. The place is now carried on as a steam brick yard, and the clay is of so good and tenacious a quality that the maker stamps the name ofKINGS NEWTONon each brick produced.

Of the articles made from this clay (which, being very few, are now of the utmost rarity), I possess examples. One of these is a butter-cooler, with perforated cover and twisted handles, formed of red unglazed clay of remarkably fine and compact character. Another is a pressed jug, with groups of relief flowers, in a chocolate-coloured clay; partly lined with white slip inside, andglazed in its natural colour. The other examples are a terra-cotta flower-vase and stand of fine light buff-coloured clay, and a two-handled goblet or drinking-cup, silver lustred, and of excellent quality. This is made of the brown, or chocolate, clay. The probability is that some day these clays may be turned to better account than that of making bricks for railway tunnels.

In 1794 a manufactory was established in the neighbourhood of Burton-on-Trent by Sir Nigel Gresley, Bart., of Drakelow, and C. B. Adderley, Esq., of Hams Hall (ancestor of the present statesman, the Right Honourable C. Adderley, M.P.), who died in 1826. In June, 1795, William Coffee, one of the modellers at the Derby china works, was engaged for these works. On page 98 I have given a copy of a letter relating to this engagement; and another letter, also in my possession, dated “Burton on Trent, June 4th, 1795,” says, “Sir,—My being your debtor makes it my duty to inform you immediately of my arrival here, and likewise of my engagement with Sir Nigel Gresley, and Mr. Adderley, lest you should suppose I had forgot the obligation I lie under to you,” etc. The works were, I have ascertained, situated “within fifty yards of Gresley Hall, near the village and castle of Gresley, in the county of Derby,” with also a place in Burton itself. From some cause or other the project did not answer the expectations of Sir. N. Gresley and Mr. Adderley, and about the year 1800 the works passed from them into the hands of Mr. William Nadin, the father of Mr. Joseph Nadin of Arthurlie, Burton-on-Trent. Mr. Nadin only carried on the manufactory for four or five years, when, it having proved a failure, he discontinued it, and was succeeded by Mr. Burton, of Linton, Derbyshire, who continued the works for a few years and then closed them.

During Mr. Nadin’s time the usual classes of ordinary Staffordshire wares were made, as also was china. In the latter, one great speciality was boots, shoes, and slippers, which were extensively produced, and variously ornamented. His now aged son, Mr. J. Nadin, wrote me, in reference to these, “My father made a large number of china boots and shoes, and I well remember when about six years old, walking up to my ankles into a pond of water in a pair of these boots (Wellington in shape).” He also tells me that when his father “had these works, he received an order for a magnificent dinner-service—the price was fixed at £700—forQueen Charlotte, through Colonel Desbrow, her Chamberlain, but he was never able to execute it, as the china always came out of the ovens cracked and crazed, though he employed the very best men he could obtain.” The Duke of Kent is said to have paid the works a visit, accompanied by Colonel Desbrow. No examples of the productions of these are, so far as my inquiries go, now known to be in existence.

About 1832 Mr. William Edwards, a solicitor, of Derby (brother-in-law of the second Mr. William Duesbury of the Derby china works), in conjunction with a Mr. Tunnicliffe, commenced an earthenware (yellow ware) manufactory at the Hay, Burton-on-Trent. Later on the manufacture of china or “artificial marble” was commenced; workmen having been brought from the Potteries and from Derby. The works, which were in High Street, only continued in operation for a very few years, and the productions were not marked. Mr. Edwards, in his ornamental ware, confined himself mainly to the production of figures, but they were, both commercially and artistically, complete failures. “Mr. Edwards’s artificial marble gods and goddesses, made at the Burton-on-Trent works, came out of the oven with their limbs twisted into every conceivable form.” On Mr. Edwards’s failure the works were closed, and he removed to Butt House, near Woodville, at that time known as Wooden Box. Mr. Edwards employed some really good workmen, amongst whom was a clever modeller named Wornell, who, besides, was an excellent stuffer of birds. Some good examples of Wornell’s work are in the possession of Mr. Abram Bass, by whom much of this information has kindly been supplied to me.

Swadlincote Potteries.—The works of Messrs. Sharpe, Brothers, and Co. were established, and erected, by the late Mr. Thomas Sharpe, in 1821, and were carried on by him, alone, as “Thomas Sharpe” until 1838, in which year he died. They were then continued by his brothers under the style of “Sharpe, Brothers, and Co.,” under which firm they are still carried on; the sole proprietor being the last surviving brother, Mr. Edmund Sharpe. The productions of the firm are the same as those of the general district, viz., the “Derbyshire Ironstone Cane (or Yellow) Ware” (a name by which this ware has for upwards of a century been known, and which is the speciality of the district); buff drabware, fire-proof ware, Rockingham ware, mottled ware, and black lustre ware. In “Derbyshire Ironstone” plain and pressed jugs and mugs; bowls of various kinds; ewers and basins, tea-pots, cups, and jars of various kinds; beef, jelly, bread, stew, and other pans; and every description of household vessels are made, as they are also in the buff drab ware. In the Rockingham, mottled, and black lustre wares, tea and coffee pots in endless variety of patterns, “Bohemian,” “American,” “Rebecca,” “Shakspere,” “Fuchsia,” “Ivy,” “Chinese,” “Cottage,” “Mandarin,” “Royal Flute,” “Gipsy,” &c., &c.; pressed and plain jugs and mugs of good designs; and many other useful articles are made. Blue printed goods are also produced.

Among many ornamental specialities of these works may be named the “Toby Fill-pot” jugs, which are made in both coloured and Rockingham ware, on much the same model as the older jugs of that name; one is shown on Fig.140.

Fig. 140.

Sanitary earthenware is a great speciality of these works, and is produced in cane-colour, white, and blue printed varieties, as well as, occasionally, of a highly decorative character. In these, plug-basins, closet-basins with Sharpe’s Patent Direct Action, requiring no fans, but acting on the principle of a hollow rim with graduated perforations; traps, cabinet wash-hand stands of excellent and convenient construction, and other articles, are extensively made. Besides the Home trade, Messrs. Sharpe export in large quantities to Canada, the United States, Nova Scotia, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Australia, Africa, the Sandwich Islands, Germany, Holland, Russia, Prussia, Hungary, &c.

The mark used by Mr. Thomas Sharpe was simply the nameThomas Sharpe, orT. Sharpe, impressed in the ware. That ofthe present firm is the monogram S. B. and Co. within a wreath of oak and ivy, and the wordsSharpe’s Patent, as here engraved.

SHARPES PATENTSBFig. 141.

SHARPES PATENTSB

Fig. 141.

Swadlincote Pottery.—These works were established in 1790 by the late Mr. John Hunt, of Swadlincote, and were, after his death, continued by Mr. Thomas Woodward, whose son, Mr. James Woodward, is their present proprietor. They were at first small, but being the first of the kind in the place soon got into repute, and fire bricks were constantly being fetched by cart to Leicester, Derby, Wirksworth, &c. Fire bricks, fire clay, for Sheffield steel works crucibles, and iron furnaces, were the sole productions till 1859, when the manufacture of sewage pipes, terra-cotta chimney-pots, vases, &c., was added, and since then marble, white, and cane-coloured sanitary earthenware has been introduced, and is largely made. In this department lavatory and closet fittings of every variety are produced. Some of the constructions are peculiar to these works, and are—especially the patent “Wash-out” arrangement,—in high repute. Majolica and Rockingham ware are also largely made. The mark adopted by Mr. Woodward is “the anchor, with a portion of cable twisted round it, forming a monogram of J. W.,” as engraved on Fig.142.

TRADE MARKFig. 142.

TRADE MARK

Fig. 142.

Swadlincote Mills.—Established by Moses Cartwright about 1837, but now carried on by Mr. Edward Grice, who produces all the usual sanitary and terra-cotta goods of the district.

Waterloo Pottery.—This pottery was established by Messrs. Robinson and Rowley in 1815, and has been successively worked since their time by Mr. Robinson alone, Mr. James Staley, and Messrs. Staley Brothers. From these last the works passed in 1875 to Messrs. Mason and Adcock, the present proprietors. They produce, extensively, all the usual descriptions of Derbyshire cane ware, yellow ironstone, and buff, Rockingham, and mottled wares. No mark is used.

Old Midway Pottery.—Established many years ago by a Mr. Granger, these works passed from him to Mr. Richard Staley, sen., and they are now carried on by Messrs. Richard Staley, John Staley, and John Brookes, under the style of “Richard Staley and Sons.” The operations of the firm are confined to Derbyshire fire-proof cane ware, Rockingham ware, and buff ware; and in these they produce all the usual domestic and other articles. The mark is the name, with the word “Fireproof” added upon dishes, &c.

Church Gresley Pottery.—These works were originally built about the year 1790, by a Mr. Leedham, for the purpose of manufacturing coarse ware wash-pans. About 1816 Mr. W. Bourne bought the works, enlarged them, and commenced the manufacture of Derbyshire ironstone cane ware, which has been made here ever since. Since Mr. Bourne’s time the works have been carried on successively by Mr. Edwards (see Burton-on-Trent), Messrs. Shaw and Harrison, and Mr. Henry Wileman, at whose decease in 1864 they were taken by Mr. T. G. Green, the present proprietor.

Cane-coloured ironstone, Rockingham, mottled, black lustre, buff, and other wares are made; and at an adjoining manufactory, built by Mr. Green in 1871, ordinary earthenware, painted, lined, sponged, and cream colour, and other wares are made in all the usual services and domestic articles. Mr. Green has taken out patents for a process of moulding earthenware, and for a bat-making machine.

Commonside Pottery.—These works are of old establishment. At first the commonest description of earthenware was made, and afterwards Mr. Edward Grice carried them on for the manufacture of sanitary goods and chimney-pots. From him they passed, in 1873, into the hands of Messrs. Mason, Gough, and Till. In 1874 Mr. Mason left the firm, and the style since then has been “Till and Gough.” Yellow, Rockingham, and buff wares are made of the usual quality, and in the same general variety of articles, as in the other Derbyshire potteries. No mark is used.

Commonside Works.—Mr. Edward Grice, who, after leaving the above, established these works in 1867, manufactures sanitary and terra-cotta goods of various kinds.

Hill Top Works.—These were established in 1810, by Mr. John Cooper, who was afterwards joined in partnership by Mr. Massey, and afterwards by Mr. Banks, the firms being successively “John Cooper,” “Cooper and Massey,” and “Cooper and Banks.” They next belonged to Mr. Henry Ansell. The sole proprietor now is Mr. Nehemiah Banks. The wares produced are the ordinary “Derbyshire Ironstone Cane Ware,” buff ware, Rockingham ware, and black lustre ware. In these all the usual household articles are produced in large quantities for home and foreign markets. Horticultural ware is also largely made; the garden, sea-kale, and other pots, and seed-pans, &c., being of superior quality.

Hillside Works.—These are devoted to the manufacture of fire-clay goods.

Other manufactories in the district are Mr. R. Quinton’s brown ware and stone-bottle works; Mr. E. Jones’s pancheon and flower-pot works, and the works of Mr. W. Cotterell.

About 1846, Mr William Edwards, formerly of Derby, and later of Burton-on-Trent, commenced a yellow-ware manufactory at Ashby Holes, Gresley Common, which he carried on for a few years. (See Burton-on-Trent.)

Woodville, the modern and more euphonious name given to the village of “Wooden Box,” is five and a half miles from Burton-on-Trent. The original name arose from an old wooden “box,” or hut, which formerly stood on the site of the present toll-house, where a man used to sit to collect toll, but which was afterwards burned down. The original “box,” it may be added, was an old port-wine butt, from Drakelow Hall, and in this the collector, Diogenes-like, spent his days. In 1800 only two houses existed here, the “Butt House,” belonging to the then Earl Ferrars and the residence of his son Lord Tamworth, and a farmhouse. On this farm some valuable beds of clay were found to exist, and a Mr. Peake, from the Staffordshire pottery district, established a small manufactory on the spot. From this manufactory the trade of the district has entirely taken its rise, and it is now noted for extensive manufactories of Derbyshire ironstone ware; cane-coloured, Rockingham, black, buff, and brown wares; sanitary goods, terra-cotta, &c. Itsinhabitants are principally potters and colliers, and it has risen to the importance of being a parish of itself—part of the parish of Hartshorne, in Derbyshire, and of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, in Leicestershire, being taken for the purpose—the main, or High, street separating those two counties. Near Woodville is the modern hamlet of Albert village, and it has a branch-line on the Midland Railway.

TheHartshorne Potterieswere established in 1818 by Mr. Joseph Thompson, the father of the present proprietors, Richard and Willoughby Thompson, who now trade under the style of “Thompson Brothers.” The goods made by this firm are Derbyshire ironstone-ware, brown stoneware, cane ironstone ware, buff stoneware, yellow ironstone ware (enamelled white inside), and black and Rockingham wares, and terra-cotta goods. Sanitary and drain-pipes, flooring and other tiles, fire-bricks and building bricks, &c., are also produced. The former mark of this pottery was—

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