19th Century English Porcelain
After the formative years of porcelain production in England during the 18th century,
the 19th century saw something of an explosion in both volume and in producers,
very much a mixed bag of quality and quantity.
A pair of Coalport vases, circa 1765-70.
Geographically diverse, there were the 'bigger' concerns that were formed before
the century started, namely Minton (Stoke on Trent), Coalport
(Shropshire) and Derby, which were still in business during the twentieth
century. Their output followed the desire for tea, dinner and table ware as well
as decorative wares and figures with influences ranging from the Orient to the rather
florid neo rococo.
A Derby porcelain topographical vase, circa 1820-30.
Wedgwood and Spode (both within the five pottery towns) likewise
spanned the century with an equally broad output, but whose repertoire also included
pottery and there was also, of course, the most diverse of all the 19th century
producers Doulton (Lambeth). Founded in 1815, they not only made porcelain
but art pottery, sanitary wares, architectural pieces, tiles, figures, dinner ware
- in fact, pretty much everything.
A Charming Copeland Garrett (Spode) figure of
a Setter (1835-45).
There was also a number of relatively short lived concerns that have subsequently
'punched above their weight' in desirability terms. One of these was Rockingham
(near Rotherham), which for much of the first half of the century produced high
quality tea and table wares, with some plaques and figures – its reputation was
such that the term Rockingham has been overused to described poorer quality lookalikes
from rival concerns. However, it could be argued that the highest quality 19th century
porcelain (outside of the Worcester concern) was made during the first two decades
at Swansea and especially nearby Nantgarw. The roll call of decorators there was
second to none including William Billingsley, Thomas Baxter and
William Pollard.
A Nantgarw London decorated plate (1814-23).
Of course, there is the soul hard paste factory, the Cinderella concern of New Hall
that lasted into the 1830s along with a number of other Staffordshire concerns
among them Davenport, Miles Mason, Samuel Alcock, H &
R Daniel, John Ridgway and many others, some of better quality
than others but all competing for their corner of a growing market. Each of the
factories mentioned had their own histories and evolutions, some lasting centuries,
whilst others fell by the way fairly quickly. In a few paragraphs one cannot do
even one of these any justice, but it is safe to say there are collectors out there
eagerly scouring auction rooms, dealers stock and the internet for every single
piece of it.
A New Hall porcelain teapot circa (1800).
Specialists
 | Nic Saintey Department Head
|  | Andrew Thomas Ceramics and Glass Expert
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