Coalbrookdale.
The terra cotta works belonging to the world-famed “Coalbrookdale Iron Company” were established in 1861. The beds of clay belonging to this company being peculiarly adapted for the finest and best kinds of terra cotta, they, in conjunction with others in the neighbourhood, undertook to prepare and send, for the Exhibition of 1862, examples of goods made from the various clays of the Shropshire coal fields. The result of this determination was the establishment of this branch of the company’s manufacture, and, so far as it has been carried out, it has proved eminently successful. The colour of the terra cotta is a peculiarly light buff of a pleasing and soft tint; and the quality is of the highest order both for firmness, fineness, hardness, and durability. In it the company produce vases, tazzas, pedestals, brackets, pendants, flower-pots and boxes, chimney-pots, and every variety of architectural decoration. With their well-known skill in design, and with the talented artists they employ for their metal work, it may well be supposed that this company would produce striking and beautiful patterns in their vases and other ornamental goods; and such is the case. There is a peculiar sharpness and beauty in the details of many that is far superior to that produced by some other firms. Some of the designs will be seen in the accompanying engravings.
Figs. 677 to 680.—Coalbrookdale Terra Cotta.
Fig. 681.—Coalbrookdale Terra Cotta.
At Lightmoor, in the same neighbourhood, the Coalbrookdale Company have extensive works for the manufacture of moulded and other bricks in white, blue, and red clays; ornamental and plain roofing tiles, many of which are of very effective shapes; garden edgings and ridge tiles of every style of design, from a simple bead to an elaborate Tudor ornament; paving tiles, &c. Nothing could better show the variety, the importance, and the high quality of the clays of this locality than do these varieties. The colour of the red quarries is rich, and improves with washing and wear, while their hardness is beyond any others. The roof tiles of this company are very extensively used (for instance, the Charterhouse Schools, near Godalming, are covered with them), and they have the reputation of being among the hardest and best produced.
Fig. 682.—Coalbrookdale Terra Cotta.