“Modeler.

In a letter dated February 3, 1795, it is said “Spangler will set off for Derby tomorrow, he intends walking as it will not be so expensive and he may as well be walking to Derby as stay here doing nothing.” How long he remained in Derby after this I have not ascertained but as Mr. Duesbury died the following year, and things went very awkwardly, it is probable he did not long remain.

Pierre Stephan, another Frenchman, was for some years a modeller and china maker at Derby, and produced many lovely groups and single figures. He removed to Jackfield, where he commenced a small pot-works, producing not only earthenware, but encaustic tiles. His son, Mr. Peter Stephan, is, at the time I write, a skilled modeller at the Coalport China Works. (See page 305, vol. I.) By articles of agreement entered into on the 17th September, 1770, “between Peter Stephane of Derby in the County of Derby, Modeler and China or Porcelaine Repairer of the one part and William Duesbury of the same place China or Porcelain Manufacturer of the other part” he binds himself for three years “to employ himself in the art of Modelling and Repairing China or Porcelaine Ware” at £2 12s. 6d. per week. The agreement is signed “Pierre Stephan” and “William Duesbury,” and is attested by “Constantine Smith,” “Friederick Decuber,” and “Thos. Morgan, Junr.”—names which will be found noticed elsewhere. In 1795 Stephan was at Shelton, and while there continued to model for and send moulds to Mr. Duesbury.

Fidele Duvivier, a Frenchman, entered into an engagement with the elder Mr. Duesbury in 1769. The agreement (duly signed by both Duesbury and Duvivier, and attested by “John Bosher” and “S. Horrocks,”) is dated 31st October, 1769, and is “between Fidelle Duvivier of the borough of Derby China or Porcelain Painter,” and “William Duesbury of the same place China or Porcelain Manufacturer,” and covenants that the former shall, for four years from that date, “diligently and faithfully according to the best and utmost of his skill and knowledge, exercise and employ himself in the Art of Painting China or Porcelain Ware,” for the weekly wages of 24s.; Mr. Duesbury agreeing, at the end of that time, to give him an additional five guineas “in case he shall merit the same.” He became the principal flower painter at the Derby Works, and his style was much followed by the later painters. Duvivier remained some years at Derby, and then left, being afterwards employed at Wedgwood’s and various other places. In 1790, being then employed at the New Hall Works (which see), he wrote the following letter to the then Mr. Duesbury, and in consequence, I believe, he returned for a time to Derby:—“Hanley green, the 1 novebr 1790, Mr. Dousbery, Sir,—take the liberty Adressing you with a few lines, as mine Engegement in the new Hal Porcelaine manufatory is Expierd, and the propriotors do not intend to do much more in the fine line of Painting, therefor think of Settling in new Castle under lime being engag’d to teech Drowing in the Boarding School at that place, one School I have at Stone, so as to have only three days to Spare in the week for Painting, wich time Could wish to be employ’d by you preferable to eany other fabricque, because you like and understand good work, as am inform’d, my painting now to watt I did for your father is quit diferent but without flatering my Self, Hope to give you Satisfaction, in Case you Schould like to inploy me, Sir,—your anser will much oblige your Humble Servant, Duvivier P.S. the conveyance would be much in fevoir for to Send the ware to and from as ther is a waggon Every week from darby to new Castle”

William J. Coffee, a modeller, who “made his mark” at Derby, was the son of William Coffee, who worked either at Hempel’s or Triquet’s pottery at Chelsea, and afterwards entered into domestic service in a gentleman’s family. Coffee was, I believe, brought up to some branch of the business with his father at these Chelsea works, and was afterwards employed at Coade’s Lambeth Pottery.[21] He first came down to Derby, I believe, about the year 1791, and agreements were entered into between him and Mr. Duesbury. I believe he at first came as a kiln-man. He does not, as a modeller, seem to have made much head-way at first, and even in 1794 the London agent wrote, “I do not much admire Mr. Coffee’s modelling from what I have yet seen. The figure No. 359 is one of the most stupid looking things I ever saw, and the figure of Apollo in group No. 379 is very vulgar about the bosom, for sure never such bubbys was seen and so much exposed—the design is pretty enough.” Soon after this a fresh agreement was entered into as to prices to be paid for figures according to size by the piece, or at day’s wages; Mr. Duesbury covenanting to have the option of paying him after the rate of 3s. 6d. per day for each day of 10 hours that he works at the manufactory, “or at the rate of 7s. for any single human figure of 6 inches high, whether standing or in any other action, which if standing would be 6 inches high; and that all figures shall be roughed out naked in correct proportions before draped;” three pence for every half inch additional in height being paid, and so on. On the 30th of January, 1795, a fresh agreement was entered into:—“Memorandum—Whereas Heads of an Agreement between Wm. Coffee and Wm. Duesbury were Executed by W. C. and W. D. wherein 6 Months notice was agreed upon between them when either wished to close the Agreement—It is hereby agreed between W. D. and W. C. that the said Agreement shall be cancell’d, and this Agreement stand in its place viz—W. C. shall Modell for W. D. untill the 6th of July next at the prizes which shall be paid by W. D. to the Modeller he has now engaged to come down who is to have 4s. pr. day for such work as he shall do by the day and various prizes by the piece in proportion to their value when he works by the piece in lieu of by the day—NB—This Agreement is not to be construed to imploy that W. D. has agreed to raise W. C.’s wages by the day above 3s. 6d. when he shall chuse to imploy W. C. by the day in preferance to his working by the piece—Signed this 30th of Jany. 1795. NB—W. C. remarks, that he would wish to know before he begins any piece of work whether the said work is to be Executed by him by the day or by the piece, W. D. certifies by this proviso that such was always his intention—W. Coffee, W. Duesbury, Witness, Charles King.”

In the same year Coffee left Derby, and engaged himself with Sir Nigel Gresley, Bart., and Mr. Adderley, at their china works at Burton-on-Trent,[22] and immediately wrote as follows to Mr. Duesbury:—“Burton on Trent J 4 1795, Sir,—My being your Debtor makes it my Duty to inform you immediately of my arrival here and likewise of my engagement with Sir Nigel Gresley and Mr Adderley lest you should suppose that I had forgot the Obligation I lie under to you—but am extremely sorry to understand that you meant to injure me respecting my Business as that would totally deprive my honest intention of paying you, the mode of which I shall be happy to submit to your own satisfaction when I wait on you, I intend as soon as possible.—I am sir your h servant, W. Coffee.” To this Mr. Duesbury returned a manly letter, denying the imputation, asking for the name of Coffee’s informant, and assuring him that he has only to make the mode of repayment quite convenient to himself. In the same year the father of Coffee thus wrote:—“London Sepr 9th 1795, Sir,—My Son since He left you has been at Work near your Manufactory for Sir Nigel Gresley which He says He inform’d you of at the time—having finished all there was to do there He is now return’d to London and out of Employ. As I was very sorry for his leaving you and severely reflected on Him for it—He now assures me that He shou’d be extremely happy to serve you again—for a constancy if you thought proper under an Article for a Term of Years—at the lower rate of 18 or 17 Shillings pr week—He gave Sir Nigel the greatest satisaction both in His behaviour and in His Business—as a proof of which Sir Nigel has offer’d to give Him the best of Characters at any time it shou’d be requir’d of Him—therefore Sir you cou’d be satisfied in that respect at any time you pleas’d—hoping whatever may have happen’d at any time disagreeable your goodness will forget—Your condescention in favouring me with an Answer directly will much oblige Sir Your most humble Servant William Coffee P.S. He is wiling to repair or do what work you think proper. I will attend Mr Ligo hopeing your kind Answer.” The result was that Coffee returned to Derby; worked at the china factory as of old; and afterwards commenced business on his own account in Derby. Here he produced terra-cotta figures of considerable merit and in tolerable variety. Of these, a wolf, a lion, a dog, and others are strikingly good. He stamped his productions with his name, “W. COFFEE, DERBY,” and occasionally the number, or the date. He also gave lessons in modelling, and turned his attention to oil-painting and sculpture. His statue of Æsculapius, on the roof of the Infirmary at Derby, was his principal work. It was executed in or about 1810.

Richard Askew was employed at the Chelsea works when taken to by Duesbury, and came from there to Derby in 1772. His name occurs regularly in the “weekly bills” at Chelsea where he received 4s. 2d. a-day wages. The following is an account for extra work done by him:—

£s.d.
2 Perfume pots in figuars1160
2 Row wagons in figuars1100
£360

Recid. £2 2s.

April the 30, 1771.