Fig. 404.

It may be well, perhaps, to notice a curious mark which I have described in my account of “Salopian China,” for the purpose of suggesting that it may have been engraved for marking on porcelain made at Caughley, and intended to pass as “Chelsea Derby.” This mark I reproduce. It occurs on a copper plate (for a mug), and represents a landscape—a river, with swans sailing, trees on either side, boat with fishermen, sailing boat, &c.; and in the background a bridge, a church with ruins to the left, and a tall, gabled building, over which are the words “Sutton Hall” to the right, above which are the words “English Hospitality.” It is also well to hint that all china bearing the well-known red or golden anchor must not be taken to be Chelsea, for examples which are undoubtedly the production of other works are constantly occurring.

Second China Works.—Another small china manufactory was commenced, according to Lysons, at an old mansion by the water side. This would probably be the works started by a party of workmen from Staffordshire, thus spoken of by Shaw:—“Carlos Simpson was born at Chelsea, to which place his father, Aaron Simpson, went in 1747 along with Thomas Lawton, slip maker; Samuel Parr, turner; Richard Meir, fire-man; and John Astbury, painter, all of Hot Lane; Carlos Wedgwood, of the Stocks, a good thrower; Thomas Ward, and several others, from Burslem, to work at the Chelsea manufactory. They soon ascertained that they were the principal workmen, on whose exertions all the excellence of the porcelain must depend; they then resolved to commence business on their own account at Chelsea, and were in some degree successful; but at length, owing to some disagreement among themselves, they abandoned it and returned to Burslem.” The fact may be as Shaw stated it, so far as regards the workmen going to Chelsea, for some reason leaving it again and commencing for themselves; but his remark as to their being “the principal workmen on whose exertions all the excellence of the porcelain must depend” is sheer nonsense, as at that time (1747) the Staffordshire workmen did not make porcelain at all.

Wedgwood’s Chelsea Works.—In 1769 or 1770 Josiah Wedgwood established a branch of his manufactory at Chelsea. This was for the decoration of his vases by his “peculiar species of encaustic painting in various colours, in imitation of the ancient Etruscan and Roman earthenware.” The reason for the founding of this branch was that it was judged better to have this peculiar style of ornamentation carried on near London, where suitable artists could easily be got together, and where the operations could be conducted under the personal superintendence of Mr. Bentley, who there resided, and for whom in 1769 a house was taken at Chelsea. The partnership between Wedgwood and Bentley had reference only to the ornamented, not to the useful ware; but both kinds were decorated at Chelsea, the two being kept separate in the accounts. The workmen at Chelsea were thus employed on both branches, the amounts paid them in wages being distinguished as on “Josiah Wedgwood’s account” and as on “Wedgwood and Bentley’s account.” Thus, for instance, in the following document, John Lawrence, for the week ending October 6th, is paid for six days’ work, at 1s. 9d. a day, of which 5s. 3d. is charged to “J. W.,” and the other 5s. 3d. to “W. & B.” I am enabled, from the following document in my possession, to show the names of a portion, at all events, of the artists who were employed there in the month of October, 1770. The document is very fragmentary and imperfect, but, so far as remains, is as follows. The year 1770, it must be borne in mind, was the very year when the Chelsea China Works finally passed by purchase into the hands of Duesbury, the owner of the Derby China Works:—

Cash paid at Chelsea for Wages On
J. W.’s
Acct.		 On
W. & B.’s
Acct.
1770. £ s. d. £ s. d.
Oct. 6. John Lawrence, 6 days 0 5 3 0 5 3
Timothy Roberts, 6 days 0 12 0
 „ 5. James Bakewell, 6 days 0 16 0
Thos. Blomeley’s Bill 1 0 5
Thos. Hutchings, 6 days 1 6 0
William Roberts, 4 days 0 4 4
Nathl. Cooper, 6 days 0 16 0
William Shuter’s Bill 0 8 0
Thomas Simcock, 6 days 0 16 0
Ralph Wilcocks, 6 days
Mrs. ditto 6 days
John Winstanley, 6 days 0 13 0
 „ 6. Thomas Barrett,[63] 5 days 0 7 0
Thomas Green, 6 days.
Miss Edwards, 6 days.
Miss Parkes,[64] 6 days.
Mr. Rhodes.[65]
Ditto for Joe.
Ditto for Will.
Ditto for Unwin.

How long the establishment at Chelsea was continued, I do not know; but painting was done in London for Wedgwood to a late date. A letter, dated February 27th, 1795—the month following Josiah Wedgwood’s death—while speaking of painters and enamellers on porcelain, says, “I believe Wedgwood’s men here do not get less than 26s. or 28s. per week,” and the presumption is that these men might be employed at his Chelsea establishment.

Chelsea Pottery.—About 1774 a pottery was established in Upper Cheyne Row, Chelsea, for the manufacture of crucibles and melting pots. It was established by a person named Ruhl, or Ruelle, who was succeeded by his son-in-law, C. F. Hempel. It had the reputation of producing the best made crucibles in this country. After the death of Mr. Hempel, his widow, Johanna Hempel, on the expiration of the lease, removed the works from Cheyne Row to the King’s Road, where she not only made crucibles, but table services, being patronised by Queen Charlotte. In 1790 she took out a patent for “a certain composition made of earth and other materials, and the means of manufacturing the same into basins and other vessels, which, so manufactured, hath the power of filtering water and other liquids in a more cheap, easy, and convenient manner than water or other liquids could then be filtered.” In 1797 Mrs. Hempel became bankrupt, and the plant and stock-in-trade, including table services, vases, crucibles, stoves, &c., and a carved sign of the Queen’s Arms, were sold by auction. The manufactory was afterwards carried on by Messrs. Ludwig and Warner.