Tunstall potteries (England) ceramics

The history of pottery manufacture in the town of Tunstall, England

dates back to the 14th century, when small-scale pottery manufacturing began in

the town. However, it was not until the mid 19th century that large

scale pottery manufacturing began in Tunstall.

The best known pottery company in Tunstall was H & K

Tunstall, originally named Hollinshead & Kirkham Ltd. which was established

in 1870 in Burslem, Staffordshire, England. In 1876 they moved their pottery

works to nearby Tunstall. In 1890 they took over the Unicorn Works pottery in

Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent.

The company was known more... for its high-quality earthenware and

porcelain, and its designs were often inspired by nature. In the early 1920s,

designer Harold Growcott joined the pottery and designed a range of

hand-painted designs on porcelain. The designs featured an abstract background

painted in two or more colours, on top of which bold fruit or floral designs

were painted.

H & K Tunstall was a successful company and continued to

operate until 1956, when it was incorporated into the Johnson Bros Group.

In addition to H & K Tunstall, there were a number of

other pottery companies in Tunstall, including Woodland Pottery, Unicorn

Pottery, Tunstall Tile & Pottery Company, and Tunstall China. These

companies produced a wide range of pottery, including earthenware, porcelain,

tiles, and figurines. Their designs were often inspired by nature, but they

also produced more traditional designs.

There are no longer any large pottery companies operating in

Tunstall. However, there are a number of small pottery studios and shops in the

town that produce handmade pottery. These studios often use traditional methods

and techniques, and their designs are often inspired by the history of pottery

manufacture in Tunstall.

Crewenna Potteries was a pottery studio  in Nelson, New Zealand, established in 1962 by Harry and May Davis. The couple had previously run a pottery in Cornwall, England, and they brought their skills and experience with them to New Zealand. The company was known for its hand-thrown and decorated ceramics. The Davises used a variety of techniques, including stoneware, porcelain, and slipware. They also experimented with different glazes, creating a wide range of colors and finishes.

The Davises' pottery was popular with both collectors and the general public. They exhibited their work in galleries and museums around New more... Zealand, and they also sold their work through a network of retailers. Crewenna Potteries closed in 1972, but the Davises' work continues to be admired by collectors and ceramics enthusiasts. Their pottery is held in the collections of the Auckland Museum, the Canterbury Museum, and the Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui. less...