It is thought that during the early 19th century there were around 300 factories in the Staffordshire Potteries, all churning out huge numbers of beautiful ceramics. This previously peaceful backwater had turned into a hellish landscape of bottle kilns firing day and night, belting out their noxious fumes and heat, surrounded by tightly packed workers' houses. While the famous factories are still celebrated today, much of the hard work in The Potteries took place in anonymity. We will never know the names and styles of every factory, and new discoveries are still being made today.
These lesser-known factories weren't necessarily smaller than the great ones, but they weren't founded by geniuses like Josiah Wedgwood, Josiah Spode or Job Ridgway. They were founded by families of smart people who built flourishing businesses, producing whatever happened to be the fashion of the day, and hiring the best workers they could afford. They may not have run showrooms in London or Bath, but they did well for themselves and weren't too fussed about the exact style of their items: they were in the business of making pots'. The result was a truly British style of porcelain that mixed up many trends. And they did one very important thing: they made new fashions mainstream. Their wares - less expensive than those of the major' factories - reached countless homes all over the world.
This story is from the January 2023 edition of Homes & Antiques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2023 edition of Homes & Antiques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Animal magic
Brought to life in myriad ways, whether printed, woven or embroidered, animals and birds have always been popular motifs in textile design, says Celia Rufey
Bright, bold and BRILLIANT
Small homes don't need to compromise on character. In Nick Kenny's two-up, two-down terrace, natural light, upcycled pieces and colourful accents make a big impact
Petite et chic
Amanda Grant and Kristian Dean's compact apartment encapsulates the essence of continental country house style
A thrifty MIX
Jill De Búrca's home was once a buy-to-let. Now that she's finally moved in, she has begun to furnish it with a quirky combination of antiques, vintage pieces and high street finds
Scholarly SANCTUARY
Statement antiques create drama in this one-bedroom former school hall, owned by antiques dealer Jean Hill
HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE - FLORA JAMIESON
The stained glass artist talks to Dominique Corlett about the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement and capturing the English countryside at its best
Armillary sphere
The roots of the armillary sphere go back centuries but the design has retained its appeal, and sculptor David Harber creates some of today's most spectacular examples, says Jenny Oldaker
Six of the best HERITAGE RAILWAYS
Plying an 84-mile round trip route through the Scottish Highlands (current licensing woes willing), the Jacobite Steam Train starts at Fort William and skirts the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, and spectacular beaches on its way to Mallaig.
TRAVEL
48 hours in Stockholm and the best heritage railways.
A PERSONAL PASSION
For opera lovers, Glyndebourne Festival is the highlight of the summer, beloved for its magical setting as well as the calibre of its productions. Celia Rufey steps behind the scenes as it celebrates its 90th birthday