His porcelain works were established about the same time as those of Worcester and Derby, and his productions had a great sale in England.
The Liverpool establishments of Pennington, Philip Christian and Richard Abbey were on an extensive scale, but towards the end of the eighteenth century only one of any importance survived, and that belonged to Messrs. Worthington, Humble and Holland, who in 1796 established a large manufactory on the south bank of the Mersey. As Wedgwood had christened his settlement Etruria they called theirs Herculaneum. A larger capital being required, in 1806 an increase of proprietors took place. The first wares made here were Queen’s and blue printed ware. About 1800 the production of porcelain was commenced, the mark used being “Herculaneum,” or “Herculaneum Pottery.” About 1836, when the factory came into possession of Messrs. Case, Mort & Co., the mark used was a bird called the liver, which forms the crest of the Borough of Liverpool.
Jackfield, near Thursfield, in Shropshire. There was an old pottery here about 1760. The ware was of a red clay, with a brilliant black glaze, sometimes with scrolls and flowers in relief. Tea services are frequently seen. The jugs were known in the locality as “black decanters.” About 1780 the works were taken by Mr. John Rose, and subsequently removed to Coalport, on the opposite side of the Severn, where the well-known Salopian porcelain was made.
Fig. 265.—Teapot.
Fig. 265. A black glazed teapot inscribed “Richard and Ruth Goodin, 1769.”
Fulham. The first successful imitation of the grès de Cologne was made by John Dwight, an Oxfordshire gentleman, and in course of time it almost entirely superseded the importation from abroad. This great potter took out his first patent in 1671, and probably established a manufactory at Fulham in that year, which was successfully carried on through two patents of fourteen years each. The Fulham stoneware is of exceedingly hard and close texture, very compact and sonorous, covered with a salt glaze, of grey colour, ornamented with a brilliant blue enamel in bands, leaves, and flowers, having medallions of kings and queens of England in front, with Latin names and titles, or their initials only.
Dwight produced a great variety of objects, and brought the potter’s art to a great perfection. The figures, busts, and groups are exquisitely modelled, and will bear comparison with any contemporary manufactures of Europe. A careful inspection will convince any unprejudiced mind of the erroneous impression which exists, that until the time of Wedgwood the potter’s art in England was at a very low ebb, and that none but the rudest description of pottery was made, without any attempt to display artistic excellence. For here, a century before Josiah Wedgwood’s time, we have examples of English pottery which would do credit to the atelier of that distinguished potter himself. John Dwight died in the year 1737, and with him also departed the glory of his manufactory at Fulham.
Fig. 266.—“Lydia Dwight.
Dyed March 3, 1673.”