Denaby.
The Denaby Pottery was established for the manufacture of fire-bricks, &c., but was, about 1864, taken by Mr. John Wardle (from Messrs. Alcocks, of Burslem), who was shortly afterwards joined in partnership by Mr. Charles W. Wilkinson, the business being carried on under the style of “Wilkinson and Wardle.” The works were situated near the railway, from which they had a siding direct into the premises. The goods produced were the general ordinary classes of printed earthenware, pearl body, cream ware, &c., which were of good ordinary quality. In these all the more popular and favourite patterns were produced, and all the copper plates being new, were sharp and fresh in appearance. Dinner, tea, coffee, toilet and other services were produced, as well as jugs and other articles, some of which are of really good and effective design. Yellow, or cane-coloured ware, was also made, as well as tiles for external decorative purposes. These were made from clay found at Conisborough, where branch works were established. The mark adopted by the firm, for what reason it is difficult to divine, unless it be that the wares were intended to pass for Staffordshire make, was the Staffordshire knot, with the words “Wilkinson and Wardle, Denaby Potteries.” These works, after an existence of a few years only, were closed in 1869 or 1870, and the buildings converted into bone and glue works.