Say £600,

for ⅔.

In the same year Messrs. Brameld & Co. became the purchasers from Mr. George Green of his interest in the Kilnhurst Pottery (which see). In 1840, Messrs. Brameld were in negotiation for the purchase from Mr. Dillwyn of the Glamorgan Pottery at Swansea (which see); but the purchase was not made.

In 1830, the Rockingham Works received an order for a splendid dessert service for King William IV., which was executed in the highest style of the art, and gave intense satisfaction. The original sketches for this service are in my own possession, and are named “Original Designs for His Majesty’s Dessert, 12th Nov., 1830, per J. W. B.” (John Wager Brameld). They are pen-and-ink sketches by himself. Of this service I shall have yet to speak. At this time the works assumed the name of “Royal Rockingham Works,” and the proprietors called themselves China Manufacturers and Potters to the King, Queen, and Royal Family. In 1838, the manufacture of china and earthenware bed-posts, cornices, &c.—a somewhat novel feature in the art—was added to the other productions of the Rockingham Works. In that year a patent was taken out in the name of William Dale[118] for “certain improvements in constructing columns, pillars, bed-posts, and other such-like articles;” consisting of several ornamental pieces or compound parts of china or earthenware,” “united, strengthened and supported by a shaft or rod passing through the whole length of the same, and furnished with screw nuts or other description of fastenings, and collars,” &c. These bed-posts and other similar things were made at the Rockingham Works, though never to any extent. They are now of very great rarity, but examples are in my own possession. The body is white, the prevailing colour being Rose-du-Barry, with yellow flowers, &c. Another of these interesting examples is white with an effective chintz pattern in colours; while others have small groups and sprigs of flowers, the outline in transfer printing, and filled in with colour. In my own possession, too, are several of the original drawings of designs for beds, window cornices, lamps, candelabra, tables, &c., which are remarkable for their elegance and beauty. An elegant work-table of this description of ware, of simple but very effective design and excellent workmanship, is in the possession of Mr. Wilson of Sheffield. It is 2 feet 6 inches high and 1 foot 6 inches in diameter at the top. Among the designs to which I have alluded is one representing a small and remarkably elegant table of somewhat similar, but much more ornate character, on which is a fish-globe stand of corresponding design.

Although the Rockingham Works were eminently successful in an artistic point of view, they were not so commercially, and in 1842 were closed, after involving not only their noble owner, but the absolute proprietors, in a loss of very many thousands of pounds. Only sixteen years had elapsed since the introduction of the china manufacture to the works, but those had been sixteen years of beauty, and of artistic and manipulative success. No man better understood his art than Mr. Thomas Brameld, no man laboured harder and more disinterestedly in the ennobling of that art than he did, and few men, either before his time or since, succeeded in accomplishing greater or more honourable things. He and his brother looked to Art instead of commerce, and the result was embarrassment and loss.

At the close of the Rockingham Works in 1842, the stock, &c., was sold off and dispersed, and the manufactory which had produced so large a quantity of elegant services, &c., was entirely discontinued. A small portion of the building was taken by an old and experienced workman, Isaac Baguley (formerly employed at the famous Derby China Works), who was one of Messrs. Brameld’s best painters and gilders. Here he commenced business in a small way on his own account, and continued to do some little business until his death. Mr. Baguley did not manufacture the wares himself, but purchased what he required in the biscuit and white state, from other makers, and then painted, gilt, and otherwise ornamented them for sale. At his death, his son, Alfred Baguley, succeeded him, and, for a few years, carried on this decorative branch of the business on the old premises. Mr. Baguley decorated with commendable taste earthenware and porcelain, and produced some extremely good and effective designs in modelling, and clever patterns in decoration. One of his specialities was the old Rockingham ware, which he produced of a far purer and better quality than any other house. To this branch he paid particular attention, and produced the Rockingham chocolate or brown glaze on a china body. In this “Rockingham china,” breakfast and tea services, tea and coffee pots of the good old designs, drinking horns, jugs, &c., were made, and, being gilt in the same manner as the old Rockingham ware, have a remarkably pleasing appearance, while in touch they are all that can be desired. Mr. Baguley also made the famous old “Bishopthorpe” and “Wentworth” jugs. His mark was the same as that of the old works—the crest of Earl Fitzwilliam (Fig. [880]) with the name—

Fig. 869.

In 1852, a small portion of the works was tenanted by some earthenware manufacturers, who traded as “P. Hobson & Son,” but their occupation was of only short duration, and now the whole place is closed.