The exact dates are as follows: Between 1780 to 1790 John Rose established his works at Coalport (he was only at Jackfield for a few years). He carried on these and the Caughley, which he purchased in 1799, up till 1814, when Caughley was finally discontinued.
All these are very dry facts which you must master in order to understand the specimens on your china shelf. There is an additional interest, it always seems to me, in knowing of the men and women who gave their lives to the perfection of an industry. There are in existence portraits of Thomas Turner and his wife, and we should particularly like to see the likeness of the lady who secretly mixed the chinas. Perhaps some of our readers may come across some family in Shropshire who may possess them.
With regard to marks, unfortunately not all the specimens of Caughley were marked. The above are some of the varieties of the crescent occurring on some of the ware, and show pretty clearly the transition from a half-moon to the engraved C. The word “Salopian” is sometimes impressed, and on one known specimen is the name “Turner.” Various forms of the letter “S,” sometimes with a cross, are used.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century the written name “Coalport” was used, though not extensively, and another mark, the letters “C. D.,” standing for Colebrookdale, was also used, but somewhat sparingly.
In 1820 both Swansea and Nantgarw factories were incorporated with Coalport, and Messrs. Billingsley and Walker, well-known names in the history of English china manufacture, came to Coalport. In 1820 Mr. Rose received the gold medal of the Society of Arts for his Felspar porcelain, and this date is a turning point in the history of Coalport.
At this time Coalport began to establish a reputation for its excellence, which placed it on a level with the other great manufactories—a reputation, be it said, that has increased as time has gone on. We reproduce a handsome vase of Coalport manufacture, richly decorated with pink and gold, on a blue ground. Its elegant form is typical of the ware at its best period.
At the present moment the productions of Coalport, both old and modern, are unequalled in their domain. The old traditions of the firm are still maintained, and the ware of to-day is of the highest possible artistic merit and excellence.
