impressed in the body of the ware.
Sutherland Works, Barker Street.—Established by the present proprietor, Mr. Sampson Smith, for the production of china, tea, and other services, silver and gold lustre, and china figures and ornaments.
Sutherland Pottery, Normacott Road.—These works were established by their present proprietors, Messrs. Skelson & Plant, who were previously of the New Market Works, Chancery Lane, Longton, and the Heathcote Road Pottery. They are also proprietors of the Heathcote Road Pottery. These latter were established by Mr. Thomas Beardmore, and much enlarged by Messrs. Stubbs & Bridgwood, before they came into the hands of Skelson & Plant. At these works china is made in all the usual useful services.
St. James’s Place.—The St. James’s works were established by William Bradshaw, and afterwards occupied by John Gerard, Jesse Cope & Co., and Baggaley & Ball. In 1831 they were taken by Robert Gallimore, who about 1840 was joined in partnership by George Shubotham. In 1842 Mr. Gallimore retired from the concern, and the business was then continued by George Shubotham and William Webberley, under the style of “Shubotham & Webberley.” In 1847 Mr. Shubotham died, and the works are now carried on by Mr. Webberley alone. In 1858 this gentleman purchased the premises, and soon afterwards pulled down the old buildings and erected the present commodious “four-oven” manufactory. Originally lustre ware only was produced, but china was added by Mr. Gallimore. In 1844 lustre was entirely abandoned, and since that time china alone has been made. This is produced in all the usual services both for the home, Dutch, and Australian markets. No mark is used.
Daisy Bank.—These are among the most historically interesting works in this immediate locality. They were built in the latter part of last century by a Mr. Hughes, and passed successively through the firms of Drury, Ray, & Tideswell, and Ray & Wynne, to Charles James Mason & Co., who succeeded the latter firm. It was in these works that Mr. Mason produced his ever famous “Ironstone china,” the firm at that time being “George Miles Mason and Charles James Mason,” and subsequently “C. J. Mason” only. The patent taken out by C. J. Mason in 1813 was for “a process for the improvement of the manufacture of English porcelain;” the process, according to the specification, consisting “in using scoria or slag of ironstone pounded and ground in water, in certain proportions, with flint, Cornwall stone, and clay, and blue oxide of cobalt;” doubtless, however, this was not correct so far as the first ingredients are concerned. It should also be added that the name “Ironstone” was simply a combination of “iron” and “stone,” used to denote the extreme hardness of the body, as combining the strength of both. From various causes the manufactory, after some years, became a commercial failure, though a great artistic and manipulative success; in 1851 the patent right, moulds, copper-plates, &c. were sold to Mr. Morley; and in 1853 the lease of the premises was sold to Messrs. Hulse, Nixon, and Adderley. (For an account of Mason’s ironstone china, &c. see pages [315], [407], and [408].)