Monday, 7 November 2011

The Exquisite Beswick and Poole Pottery

By Laurie Mullen


Beswick Pottery - Beswick pottery was founded by James Wright Beswick and his sons. The J.W. Beswick began its operations in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, in 1892. James Wright Beswick's sons, John and Gilbert, and grandson John Ewart, took over the business in 1921 when he passed away.

The products first released by Beswick pottery were various decorative items and tableware. In 1914 - 1918 during the World War I, the company's performance in the market was low until the end of the war where the business began booming and expanding. They successfully expanded and in 1934 they introduced the high fired bone china. In 1936, the company became limited and became officially known as John Beswick Ltd. At this time, John Ewart Beswick managed the company with sales being the responsibility of Gilbert Beswick.

Beswick began producing high quality figurines in 1934 such as champion dogs and race horses. In 1939, the company appointed Arthur Gredington as chief modeler when they began producing farm animal figurines. He was also responsible in producing the range of 190 Rearing Horsemen which became one of their famous collectible figurines. You can see Beswick Pottery items currently available. Attaining the position of decorating manager in 1934 and art director in 1957, James Hayward was another big contributor to Beswick pottery. Another big contributor is Albert Hallam, who became head of mold making and modeler. The company began producing Beatrix Potter's storybook characters in 1948.

Poole Pottery - Poole pottery originally started in Poole, Dorset, England. In 1873 at the Poole quayside, Poole pottery was founded. The purchase of East Quay Pottery Company by Jesse Carter started Poole pottery. They have made decorative tile and other architectural pottery. In the early 1920s, the company focused on other products such as decorative table and domestic ware.

In 1921, the two sons of Carter, Charles and Owen, worked together to establish a subsidiary company from the original Carter & Company called Carter, Staler & Adams. The business continued and new pottery lines of figurines and plaques were added.

A lot of brilliant designers joined the company and exceptional works of art were produced by them. Harole Stabler and his wife Phoebe were the designers who made the most prized Poole pottery. They have produced exquisite stoneware, vases, urns, and jugs with their brilliant and vivid designs. In the 1950s, it was Alfred Read and Guy Sydenham who, with their modern pieces and space-age designs, released a series of ship plates from the 1930's post-World War II "Galaxy" line of tableware. Released in the 1960's, the brightly-colored Delphi line has proven to be a popular collectible. Add a Poole Pottery item to your collection now.

The Poole Quayside factory was relocated away from the Quay in 1999. The manufacture of Poole pottery continued in their new location until operations ceased in 2006. There are products of Poole pottery that are found in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Their products were created with such exquisite craftsmanship that the demand for them grew, and they are now back in business with their new factory located in Burslem, Staffordshire.




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