A CATALOGUE, &c.
| LOT. | £ | s. | d. | |
| 1 | A Tythe pig group, 1 pair of large gardeners, 1 pair of Jupiter and Juno, 1 pair of Harlequin and Columbine, and 2 pair of basket boys | 3 | 11 | 0 |
| 2 | A set of 3 jars, decorated with natural flowers, and gilt | |||
| 3 | Five dozen of small boys | |||
| 4 | A pair of large singers, 1 pair of sitting pipe and guitar figures, 1 pair of less ditto, 1 pair of sporting figures, and 12 boys | 3 | 17 | 0 |
| 5 | A compleat set of tea china, double shape, enameled with roses, festoons of green husks, and purple and gold border, 40 pieces | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 6 | Two Cupid groups, 1 pair of large Bacchus and Ariadne, 1 pair of pheasant figures, and 12 boys | 5 | 14 | 0 |
| 7 | Six double shape caudle cups and stands, enameled with Dresden flowers, and gilt | |||
| 8 | A pair of figures Shakspeare and Milton | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 9 | Two second size Dianas, 1 pair of piping shepherds, 1 pair of large gardeners, 1 pair of sporting figures, and 1 pair of Mars and Venus | 4 | 15 | 0 |
| 10 | Two breakfast sets, enameled fine blue and white, 15 pieces each | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| 11 | A figure of Andromache, 1 pair of figures Diana and Apollo, 1 pair of boys riding on goat and panther, and 2 pair of small singers | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| 12 | A very elegant compleat set of tea china, Devonshire shape, enameled with roses, and richly finished with fine blue and gold, 41 pieces | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 13 | A pair of figures Andromache and Plenty, 1 pair of haymakers, 1 pair of Mars and Minerva, and 2 basket boys | 4 | 15 | 0 |
| 14 | A pair of Madona groups, and 2 pair of sitting fruit and flower figures | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| 15 | Twelve very elegant cups and saucers, slop bason, cream ewer, and 4 plates | 6 | 13 | 0 |
| 16 | A large pastoral group, and 1 pair of groups Poetry and Music | 5 | 15 | 6 |
| 17 | Five dozen of small boys | |||
| 18 | A beautiful breakfast set, fluted, enameled fine blue and gold, 18 pieces | 3 | 18 | 0 |
| 19 | A pair of grotesque Punches, 1 pair of sitting figures, 1 set of standing seasons, and 1 pair of gardeners | 3 | 15 | 0 |
| 20 | Two groups of the four seasons, 2 pair of fruit and flower figures | 4 | 18 | 0 |
| 21 | A compleat set of tea china, plain shape, enameled, fine blue and gold border, the Prince of Wales’s pattern, 41 pieces | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 22 | A breakfast set handled cups, small waved flute, 18 pieces | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Twelve French shape cups and saucers, ditto | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 24 | A pair of figures Diana and Apollo, and 1 set of small elements | 4 | 10 | 0 |
| 25 | A set of large antique seasons, 1 pair of large singers, 1 pair of pipe and guitar figures, and 2 pair of basket boys | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 26 | A compleat set of tea china, white and gold, 41 pieces | |||
| 27 | Six very elegant caudle cups covers and stands, enameled with flowers and fine blue and gold | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | A group of Poetry, 1 pair of Mars and Venus candlesticks, 1 pair of piping shepherds, and 1 pair of boys riding on goat and panther | 4 | 12 | 0 |
| 29 | A pair of large pipe and guitar candlesticks, 1 pair of garland shepherds, and 1 pair of large pipe and guitar figures | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | A figure of Falstaff, a figure of Neptune, 1 pair of large gardeners, and 2 figures of Prudence | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 31 | A very capital compleat set of tea china, fluted, richly enameled with fine blue and gold, 41 pieces | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 32 | A compleat set of tea china, waved shanked, enameled with roses, festoon of red husks, and green and gold border, 41 pieces | |||
| 33 | A group of Jason and Medea before Diana, and 1 pair of groups, Poetry and Music | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 34 | A figure of Diana, two pair of pheasant figures, 1 pair of boys riding on goat and panther, 3 pair of small music figures, and 4 busts | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 35 | Six half-pint basons and stands, slop bason, sugar box, cream ewer, and 2 plates, enameled fine blue and white | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| 36 | A beautiful compleat desert service, enameled with roses, and fine blue and gold borders, consisting of 24 plates, 13 comporteers, 1 pair of cream bowls, covers, stands, and spoons | 26 | 5 | 0 |
| 37 | A figure of Justice, 1 set of small elements, 1 pair of Cupids, and 12 boys | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| 38 | A group of Jason and Medea before Diana, 1 pair of pipe and guitar candlesticks, and 2 pair of haymakers | 4 | 17 | 0 |
| 39 | A pair of figures Shakspeare and Milton, and a figure of Mr. Garrick | 4 | 14 | 6 |
| 40 | An elegant compleat set of tea china, new shape, white and gold, 41 pieces | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 41 | A figure of Andromache, 1 pair of Bacchus and Ariadne, 1 pair of pipe and guitar figures, and 1 pair of fruit and flower | 4 | 15 | 0 |
| 42 | A pair of Madona groups, a pair of large gardeners, and 1 pair of sitting figures | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| 43 | A very elegant bason and ewer, richly ornamented with fine blue and gold | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| 44 | A compleat set of tea china, Devonshire shape, enameled with roses, festoons of red husks, and green and gold borders, 41 pieces | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 45 | A pair of pipe and guitar candlesticks, one pair of Mars and Venus figures, 1 pair of pipe and tabor, 1 pair of sporting figures, and 1 pair of small pipe and guitar | 4 | 9 | 0 |
| 46 | A pair of Mars and Venus candlesticks, 2 pair of sacrifice figures, 6 Cupids, and 12 small boys | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 47 | A group of Poetry, and 1 pair of figures Andromache and Plenty | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| 48 | A beautiful dejune, enameled fine blue and gold | 3 | 13 | 6 |
| 49 | A compleat set of tea china, waved shanked, enameled with festoons of coloured flowers, and green and gold border, 41 pieces | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 50 | A figure of Falstaff, 1 pair of grotesque Punches, 1 set of Seasons, and 1 pair of Cupids riding on goat and panther | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| 51 | Two Cupid groups, 2 pair of large music figures, 4 seasons, and 4 busts | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| 52 | A large figure of Britannia, 1 figure of Justice, and 1 figure of Falstaff | 4 | 19 | 0 |
| 53 | A very elegant breakfast set of plain shanked, enameled fine blue and gold, 18 pieces | 4 | 9 | 0 |
| 54 | A ditto | 4 | 9 | 0 |
| 55 | A tythe pig group, 1 set of standing seasons, 1 pair of Mars and Minerva, 1 pair of large gardeners, and 12 small boys | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 56 | A pair of Madona groups, 2 pair of sacrifice figures, 1 small group, and 3 pair of small music figures | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| 57 | A compleat set of tea china, new embossed, enameled with a fine blue and gold border (the Queen’s pattern) 41 pieces | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 58 | Six caudle cups, covers and stands, ditto | 3 | 12 | 0 |
| 59 | A pair of large groups | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 60 | A pair of groups, Poetry and Music, and 1 pair of boys riding on goat and panther | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| 61 | Two figures of Diana, 1 pair of sitting pipe and guitar figures, and 2 pair of music figures | 4 | 13 | 0 |
| 62 | A very elegant compleat set of tea china, fluted, richly ornamented with fine blue and gold, 41 pieces | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 63 | A figure of Falstaff, 2 pair of Cupids, 1 set of standing seasons, and 12 small boys | 3 | 15 | 0 |
| 64 | A compleat desert service, enameled fine old japan pattern, consisting of 24 plates, 13 comporteers, and 1 pair of cream bowls, covers, stands, and spoons | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| 65 | A large pastoral group, 2 figures of Diana, and 1 pair of large singers | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 66 | A pair of groups, Poetry and Music, and 1 pair of large pipe and guitar figures | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 67 | A very elegant set of tea china handled cups, white and gold, 41 pieces | 8 | 18 | 6 |
| 68 | A group of the Virtues, and 1 ditto of the quarters | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 69 | Five dozen of small boys | |||
| 70 | A compleat set of tea china, fluted, enameled fine blue and gold, 41 pieces | |||
| 71 | A set of small elements, 2 pair of large gardeners, 1 pair of sporting figures, and 3 pair of basket boys | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| 72 | Two sets of breakfast sets, small waved flute, enameled fine blue and white, 17 pieces each | 3 | 19 | 0 |
| 73 | A compleat set of tea china, waved shanked, white and gold, 41 pieces | |||
| 74 | A pair of spring candlesticks, 1 pair of boys ditto, 1 pair of haymakers, 1 pair of Mars and Venus figures, 1 pair of small singers, and 2 pair of buck and doe | 4 | 10 | 0 |
| 75 | Six Devonshire shape caudle cups, covers, and stands, enameled fine green and gold | 3 | 12 | 0 |
| 76 | Two figures of Neptune, 3 pair of large fruit and flower figures, 6 squarrels, and 12 boys | 5 | 16 | 0 |
| 77 | A set of 3 vauses, enameled with flowers, and green and gold | |||
| 78 | A pair of figures Andromache and Plenty, and 1 pair of large pipe and guitar candlesticks | 4 | 12 | 0 |
| 79 | A very elegant compleat set of tea china, peacock pattern, enameled fine blue and gold, 41 pieces | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 80 | A tythe pig group, 1 pair of Jupiter and Juno, 2 pair of Harlequin and Columbine, 1 set of standing seasons, and 12 small boys | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| 81 | A pair of groups, Poetry and Music, and 1 pair of boys riding on goat and panther | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| 82 | A breakfast set of bell-shape cups with handles, enameled fine blue and gold, 18 pieces | 3 | 13 | 0 |
| 83 | A ditto | 3 | 13 | 0 |
| 84 | A set of elements, 1 pair of singers, and 1 pair of Mars and Venus figures | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| 85 | A pair of figures Shakspeare and Milton | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 86 | A compleat set of tea china, white and gold, 41 pieces | |||
| 87 | A group of 2 Baccants, 1 figure of Andromache, and 1 figure of Neptune | 4 | 14 | 0 |
| 88 | A figure of Diana, 2 pair of sitting pipe and guitar figures, 1 set of grotesque seasons, 1 pair of Jupiter and Juno, and 12 boys | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| 89 | A pair of Madona groups, 1 set of quarters, and 2 pair of basket boys | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 90 | A pair of figures Andromache and Plenty, and a pair of pipe and guitar chandeliers | 4 | 18 | 0 |
| 91 | A figure of Falstaff, 1 set of small elements, 2 Cupids and 2 pair of sporting figures | 4 | 14 | 0 |
| 92 | Five dozen of small boys | |||
| 93 | A group of 3 virgins distressing Cupid, and 2 Cupid groups | 5 | 16 | 0 |
| 94 | A figure of Diana, 1 pair of haymakers, 2 pair of small gardeners, 5 desert gardeners, 4 busts, and 12 boys | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 95 | A tythe pig group, 1 pair of sitting pipe and guitar figures, 1 pair of Harlequins, and 3 pair of basket boys | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 96 | A group of Poetry, 2 pair of small elements, and 1 pair of sitting pipe and guitar figures | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| 97 | A figure of Justice, 1 pair of piping shepherds, 1 set of standing seasons, and 1 pair of grotesque figures | 4 | 12 | 0 |
| 98 | A pair of large groups | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 99 | A pair of Madona groups, 2 pair of sitting fruit and flower figures, and 3 pair of small music figures | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| 100 | A pair of figures Diana and Apollo, 2 pair of large gardeners, and 1 pair of sitting figures | 4 | 14 | 0 |
| 101 | A set of large French seasons | |||
| 102 | A pair of pipe and guitar candlesticks, 1 pair of spring ditto, and a set of standing seasons | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 103 | Æsculapius and Hygiæa, 1 pair of sacrifice figures, 4 pair of small Turks, 2 pair of salutation figures, 2 basket boys, 13 birds, 2 dogs, and 4 boys | |||
| 104 | A group of Poetry, 2 pair of sporting figures, and 1 pair of boys riding on goat and panther | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 105 | A pair of large ice-pails, white and gold | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 106 | A group of Jason and Medea, 1 pair of large singers, 1 pair of Mars and Minerva, and 2 pair of basket boys | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 107 | A compleat set of tea china, white and gold, 41 pieces | |||
| 108 | A group of Poetry, 8 antique seasons, 1 pair of sitting figures, 1 pair of music figures, and 12 boys | 4 | 14 | 0 |
| 109 | Four elegant broth basons, covers, and stands, enameled fine blue and gold pearl border | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 110 | A pair of Madona groups, 1 pair of Jupiter and Juno, and a set of sitting seasons | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 111 | Twenty-two sundry small figures | |||
| 112 | A beautiful bason and ewer, and 2 punch jugs, with covers, enameled fine blue and gold | 3 | 18 | 0 |
| 113 | A large pastoral group, 4 antique seasons, and a pair of large gardeners | |||
| 114 | A pair of groups Poetry and Music, and a pair of boys riding on goat and panther | 4 | 7 | 0 |
| 115 | A breakfast set, small flute, enameled with a fine blue and gold pearl border, 18 Pieces | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 116 | A compleat set of tea china, new embossed, enameled with a fine blue and gold border, 41 pieces | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 117 | A pair of figures Andromache and Plenty, a pair of Cupids, and 2 pair of sitting pipe and guitar | 4 | 13 | 0 |
| 118 | Five dozen of small boys | |||
| 119 | A compleat desert service, enameled, fine old Japan pattern, consisting of 24 plates, 13 comporteers, and 1 pair of cream bowls, covers, stands, and spoons | 26 | 5 | 0 |
| 120 | A figure of Falstaff, 2 pair of Bacchus and Ariadne, and 1 pair of boys riding on goat and panther | 5 | 18 | 0 |
| 121 | Twelve new shape cups and saucers, 1 slop bason, sugar-box, cream ewer, and plate, enameled with fine blue springs, and narrow blue border | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 122 | A very elegant compleat set of tea china handled cups, richly enameled with fine blue and gold scrole border, 41 pieces | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 123 | A group of the virtues, 1 pair of large Bacchus and Ariadne, 1 pair of haymakers, and 1 pair of sitting figures | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| 124 | A tythe pig group, a set of standing seasons, a pair of Cupids, a pair of gardeners, and 3 pair of basket boys | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 125 | Twelve chocolate cups and saucers, enameled with festoons of green husks, and pink and gold border | 3 | 18 | 0 |
| 126 | A beautiful dejune, enameled, with vauses, &c. and fine blue and gold | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 127 | A pair of figures Shakspeare and Milton, and a pair of sitting pipe and guitar figures | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 128 | A figure of Falstaff, and a set of elements | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| 129 | Two breakfast sets, enameled fine blue and white | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| 130 | A pair of pipe and guitar candlesticks, and a pair of spring ditto | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 131 | Six elegant caudle cups, covers, and stands, enameled fine blue and gold | |||
| 132 | Two breakfast sets, enameled fine blue and white, 18 pieces each | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| 133 | Two Cupid groups, a pair of singers, and a pair of boys riding on goat and panther | 4 | 11 | 0 |
| 134 | A figure of Falstaff, 4 small elements, and 2 pair of Jupiter and Juno | 4 | 13 | 0 |
| 135 | A beautiful compleat set of tea china, enameled with festoons of gold husks, and fine blue and gold border (Prince of Wales’s pattern) | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 136 | A pair of large groups | 5 | 15 | 0 |
| 137 | A pair of figures Shakspeare and Milton | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 138 | Six elegant caudle cups, covers, and stands, enameled fine blue and gold | |||
| 139 | A breakfast set, enameled with blue and gold springs, and blue and gold border, 18 pieces | 3 | 13 | 0 |
| 140 | A pair of large pipe and guitar candlesticks, and a set of small French seasons | 3 | 18 | 0 |
| 141 | A tythe pig group, 1 pair of large gardeners, 2 pair of sitting pipe and guitar figures, and 3 pair of basket boys | 3 | 14 | 0 |
| 142 | A compleat set of tea china, white and gold | |||
| 143 | A season group, 1 pair of Bacchus and Ariadne, and 3 odd figures | |||
| 144 | A pair of large Bacchus and Ariadne, 1 pair of boys riding on goat and panther, 1 pair of large fruit and flower figures, 3 pair of small ditto, and 1 pair of basket boys | 4 | 16 | 0 |
| 145 | A compleat set of tea china, peacock pattern, enameled green and gold, 41 pieces | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 146 | Four caudle cups, covers, and stands, enameled with roses, festoons, and purple and gold border | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| 147 | Two large pastoral groups | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 148 | A pair of figures Andromache and Plenty, and 1 pair of grotesque Punches | 3 | 17 | 0 |
| 149 | Five dozen of small boys | |||
| 150 | A elegant compleat set of tea china, white and gold, 41 pieces | |||
| 151 | A group of Jason and Medea before Diana, 1 pair of large singers, 1 pair of large gardeners, and 1 pair of sporting figures | 4 | 13 | 0 |
| 152 | A large pastoral group, and 1 pair of pipe and guitar candlesticks | 3 | 17 | 6 |
| 153 | A beautiful compleat desert service, enameled with roses and fine blue and gold borders, consisting of 24 plates, 13 comporteers, and 1 pair of cream bowls, covers, stands, and spoons | 26 | 5 | 0 |
| 154 | A figure of Andromache, a pair of antique seasons, a pair of Bacchus and Ariadne, a pair of sacrifice figures, and a pair of fruit and flower | 4 | 13 | 0 |
| 155 | A compleat set of tea china, white and gold, 41 pieces | |||
| 156 | Five dozen of small boys | |||
| 157 | A large group of three virgins, a pair of large seasons, and 2 pair of music figures | |||
| 158 | Six chocolate cups and saucers, enameled with fine blue and gold borders, and 6 ditto, enameled with Dresden flowers and gold edge | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| 159 | Four basons, covers, and stands, enameled with red husks, and fine blue and gold border | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 160 | A group of Baccants, and 2 pair of large elements | 5 | 14 | 0 |
| 161 | A pair of figures Andromache and Plenty, and 2 pair of sporting figures | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 162 | A compleat desert service, enameled fine old blue and gold Japan pattern, consisting of 24 plates, 13 comporteers, and a pair of cream bowls, covers, stands, and spoons | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 163 | A pair of Mars and Venus candlesticks, 2 pair of haymakers, and 1 set of quarters | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| 164 | A very elegant compleat set of tea china, enameled with roses, and fine blue and gold border, 41 pieces | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 165 | Twelve breakfast basons and stands, slop bason, sugar box, and 12 bread and butter plates, white and gold | 4 | 10 | 0 |
| 166 | A tythe pig group, 2 pair of small singers, 2 pair of sporting figures, and 3 pair of basket boys | 3 | 16 | 0 |
| 167 | A group of three virgins, a pair of large seasons, and a pair of Bacchus and Ariadne | 5 | 15 | 6 |
| 168 | A compleate set of tea china, enameled fine blue and gold, 41 pieces | |||
| 169 | A group of the quarters, 1 pair of large elements, and 6 antique seasons | 4 | 18 | 0 |
| 170 | A pair of Madona groups, and 2 pair of Mars and Minerva | 3 | 18 | 0 |
| 171 | A compleat set of tea china, white and gold dontel edge, 41 pieces | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 172 | A Cupid group, a pair of season groups, and 2 pair of small Bacchus and Ariadne | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 173 | Five dozen of small boys | |||
| 174 | A very elegant compleat set of tea china, fluted, richly enameled with fine blue and gold, 41 pieces | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 175 | A pair of pipe and guitar chandeliers, 1 pair of garland shepherds, and 1 pair of French shepherds | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 176 | A pair of Welch taylors, 2 pair of sporting figures, 2 pair of small gardeners, and 1 set of sitting seasons | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| 177 | A compleat desert service, enameled with groups of flowers, and fine blue and gold vini border, consisting of 24 plates, 13 comporteers, and 1 pair of cream-bowls and stands | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| 178 | A pair of figures Andromache and Plenty, 1 pair of fruit flower figures, and 1 pair of sacrifice figures | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 179 | A figure of Diana, 1 pair of sitting pipe and guitar figures, 2 pair of Harlequin and Columbine, and 2 pair of basket boys | 3 | 19 | 0 |
| 180 | An elegant compleat set of tea china, 41 pieces | |||
| 181 | A group of the 4 seasons, 1 set of French seasons, 2 antique seasons, and 6 small Turks | |||
| 182 | A Cupid group, 1 pair of Bacchus and Ariadne, 6 antique seasons, and 12 boys | |||
| 183 | A set of 5 large vauses, enameled compartments, with figures, and richly gilt | |||
| 184 | A group of poetry, and 1 pair of large figures | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| 185 | A pair of groups Poetry and Music, and 4 odd figures | |||
| 186 | Five dozen of small boys | |||
| 187 | A tythe pig group, 1 set of standing seasons, 1 pair of sitting figures, and 2 pair of small gardeners | 3 | 11 | 0 |
| 188 | A pair of boy candlesticks, 2 pair of large gardeners, 1 pair of sitting pipe and guitar figures, and 2 pair of small fruit and flower | 3 | 18 | 0 |
| 189 | Sundries | |||
| 190 | Ditto | |||
| 191 | Ditto | |||
| 192 | Ditto | |||
| 193 | Ditto | |||
| 194 | Ditto | |||
| 195 | Ditto | |||
| 196 | Ditto | |||
| 197 | Ditto | |||
| 198 | Ditto |
Figs. 47 to 50.—From the Museum of Practical Geology.
A few months before Mr. Duesbury’s death—which, as I have stated, took place in November, 1786—he took his son William into partnership, and the business was carried on under the style of “Messrs. William Duesbury and Son.” It thus appears upon the title-pages of the sale catalogue of 22nd September in that year, but is altered back to “Mr. William Duesbury” alone in that for 21st December following. For some years before the death of his father the younger Mr. William Duesbury had devoted himself untiringly to the advancement of the works. No man could have been more highly respected, both by his workmen and by all who knew or had dealings with him at home and abroad, than was this second William Duesbury, and under his care the works continued to grow in importance with an astonishing rapidity, and soon became by far the most prosperous and most successful in the kingdom. The connection which had previously been formed with the principal families, from royalty downwards, spread and increased, and among the hundreds of names of purchasers on the sale sheets and other papers, I come across, at random, those of the King, the Queen, the Prince of Wales (afterwards George IV.), who was a large customer for dessert, tea, coffee, and other services; the Duchess of Devonshire, William Pitt, Sir Hugh Pallisser, the Margravine of Anspach, the Duke of Northumberland, Lord Howe, and indeed almost every title then in the peerage. Besides this, several ladies of distinction painted groups of flowers and other pictures on porcelain, supplied to them for the purpose by Mr. Duesbury, who afterwards fired and finished them for their own special use. Of these ladies, Lady Margaret Fordyce, Lady Plymouth, and Lady Aubrey executed some beautiful drawings, which probably may still remain in their families. Lord Lonsdale also had twenty-four plates painted with landscapes in Cumberland, from his own sketches, and many other noblemen and gentlemen did the same; many sets of china being painted with views of different parts of the estates of those for whom they were manufactured. Bronze figures of horses—probably originally belonging to the famous Duke of Newcastle, whose work on Horsemanship is the finest ever produced—were lent to Mr. Duesbury from Welbeck Abbey; and Lady Spencer also sent some choice moulds for working from. Altogether the Derby works, during the latter part of the first Mr. Duesbury’s time, and during the life of his son, were, as I have said, the most successful, the best conducted, and the most fashionable establishment of the kind in the kingdom.
Fig. 51.—“King’s vase,” Museum of Practical Geology.
Constant application to business, and the wear and tear of the brain from incessant anxieties, about 1795 made such fearful inroads on the health of Mr. Duesbury, that he was induced by his friends to take into partnership a Mr. Michael Kean, a very clever miniature painter, an Irishman by birth, who brought his talents to bear on the works, and by his skill in designing and drawing added much to the beauty of the articles manufactured. His connection however, seems to have been a source of still greater anxiety to Mr. Duesbury, whose mind gradually gave way under his load of care. In 1796 Mr. Duesbury died, and after a time Mr. Kean (who had for a time the management of the business for the widow and her young family) married the widow, but not long after, from reasons into which it is needless to enter, as they do not affect the narrative, withdrew hastily from the concern, and the works were then continued for, and afterwards by, the third William Duesbury. Mrs. Duesbury, by her second marriage (with Michael Kean) had a family of five children. She died in 1829, after having passed a not altogether happy life. This third William Duesbury (grandson of the founder of the works) was the eldest son of William Duesbury by his wife, Elizabeth Edwards. He was born in 1787, and on the 26th September, 1808, married Annabella, daughter of William E. Sheffield, Esq., of the Polygon, Somers Town, London, and for a time the concern was carried on under the firm of “Duesbury and Sheffield.”
In 1815, Mr. Duesbury leased the premises to Mr. Robert Bloor, who had been a clerk to his father, and had carried on the business during Mr. Duesbury’s minority, and the entire concern ultimately passed into his hands, and was carried on by him for the first few years with much judgment and skill.
