Mr. Thomas Brameld, the eldest of the partners, was a man of the most exquisite taste, and he laboured hard to raise the character of the productions of the Swinton Works to a high standard of excellence. In this he succeeded to an eminent degree. In 1820 he turned his attention to the production of china ware, and made many experiments in bodies and glazes. Having expended large sums of money in the production of this, his favourite project, and in making Art-advances in his manufactory, the firm became, as is too frequently the case with those who study the beautiful instead of the strictly commercial in the management of their works, slightly embarrassed. This was considerably increased by the great loss, both in earthenware and money, which the firm sustained consequent on the war. In 1825, which it will be remembered was a year of great commercial difficulties, Messrs. Brameld succumbed to the embarrassments that had for some time affected them, and a meeting of themselves, their creditors, &c., was held at Rotherham. At this meeting, Mr. Thomas Brameld produced some remarkable examples of his china ware, the result of long and patient labour on his part, and these being highly approved by all who were present, and appearing likely to succeed, Earl Fitzwilliam, the owner of the property at Swinton, in the most laudable and kindly manner, agreed to assist in the prosecution of the work by the advance of capital, and by taking an active part in the scheme.
This being done, Mr. Brameld set himself to his task with renewed spirit, and with a determination to make his porcelain at least equal to any which could then be produced, and in this he certainly succeeded. The works were altered and enlarged; modellers and painters, the most skilful that could be procured, were employed; and every means taken to insure that success, artistically and manipulatively, which quickly followed. In this ware, dinner, dessert, breakfast, and tea services, vases, groups of figures and flowers, and numberless articles, both of utility and ornament, were produced, and were all characterised by pure taste, and an excellence of design and workmanship which told much for the skill and judgment of the mind that governed the whole of the manufactory.
Mr. George Frederick Brameld, the second of the partners, devoted himself to the strictly commercial part of the business on the Continent. He for some time resided at St. Petersburg, a large trade with Russia being carried on by the firm.
Mr. John Wager Brameld, like his brother, was a man of pure taste. He was an excellent artist, and some truly exquisite paintings on porcelain by him have come under my notice. He was a clever painter of flowers and of figures, and landscapes. In flowers Mr. Brameld went to Nature herself, collecting specimens wherever he went, and reproducing their beauties on the choice wares of the works. At Lowestoft I remember seeing a set of three vases painted in flowers, which, it is said, Mr. Brameld gathered on the Dene, at that place, on one of his visits, and which vases he presented to the father of their present owner.[117] In the same hands is an elegant snuff-box, bearing an exquisite painting of “The Politician,” with groups of flowers, and bearing the words, “Brameld, Rockingham Works, near Rotherham,” “The Politician, J. W. Brameld.” This being a signed piece of John Wager Brameld’s, is particularly interesting. Mr. Brameld’s time was chiefly devoted, however, to travelling for the firm in the United Kingdom, and to the management of the London house, so that his artistic productions did not make a feature in the goods generally made at the works.
Mr. Thomas Brameld, who resided at Swinton House, Swinton, a delightful residence overlooking the valley of the Don (to whose taste Swinton is deeply indebted for the preservation from destruction of two fine old Norman archways from the destroyed chapel), died in 1850. He left four sons, the Rev. John Thomas Brameld, late of Mansfield; the Rev. George William Brameld; the late Rev. Arthur James Brameld, of New Wortley, who was accidentally drowned soon after I made his acquaintance; and the late Dr. Henry E. Brameld, to each and all of whom—especially the two last named—I was indebted for much assistance in the preparation of this notice. Mr. John Wager Brameld died in 1851, leaving an only son, who was accidentally drowned while bathing near Swinton. The last of the partners, Mr. George Frederick Brameld, died unmarried in 1853.
The regulations laid down for the keeping of time by the workmen at Swinton, and for their guidance over their work, were remarkably well considered and clear; the original document of about 1829, in Mr. Brameld’s handwriting, is in my own possession, as is also another from which I learn some particulars as to the overlookers of that time. Richard Shillito was to have charge of the earthenware department as general overlooker, with ... Hulme to assist him; William Horncastle had charge of the Warehouse, &c.; Mr. Wager had charge of the men at the farm; Mr. Baguley had “charge of all the painting and gilding department in china and enamel earthenware.” John Speight, “the painting, &c., &c., in earthenware biscuit work;” George Liversedge was overlooker and manager of the printing department; Joseph Bullough was sorter of biscuit ware; William Speight had charge of the mill, and also “the care of and management of all gold, colours, and glazes, &c., he giving them out as they may be properly wanted to use.”
Earthenware of various kinds—“Brown China,” or “Rockingham ware,” green glazed ware, biscuit figures and ornaments, hard fine white stoneware, cream-coloured ware, and other varieties of goods were also still made; and the works, which, at this time—the time when china began regularly to be made (1826)—with the assistance of the Earl Fitzwilliam, assumed the name of the “Rockingham Works,” began to use the crest of the Fitzwilliam family as the mark of the firm.
In 1826 (November 17), Messrs. Brameld & Co. secured the services of an excellent painter, “Mr. John Cresswell, painter on china,” and articles of agreement (in my own possession) were drawn up by which Cresswell engaged himself to them for five years at 7s. 6d. a day for the first three years; 9s. 3d. a day for the fourth year; and 10s. 6d. a day for the fifth year. In 1830 the firm received an order for a service from the Duchess of Cumberland:—
“At Kew, October 23, 1830.
“Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cumberland most graciously inspected the Pattern Plates (5) prepared for the purpose; and was pleased to express herself much gratified therewith, and commanded me to get up her Service with