Hardy & Padmore - Carst iron makers Four Flags Sauce label Steward's Chemists - Finest Glycerine & Rosewater label
Stretton & Co. - Worcestershire Sauce label
 
Welcome to Worcester City Museums and Galleries
SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE EXHIBITION - POTTERY MAKING
 
Lea & Perrin's  - Worcestershire Sauce label Waldron & Co. - Mandarin Sauce label Waldron & Co. - Worcestershire Sauce label
Hill, Evans & Co. - Malt Vinegar label
 
 
 
WORCESTER'S POTTERY MAKERS
The first Worcester Porcelain factory at Warmstry House, view of c.1752 - Click on image for a bigger picture. Dr John Wall 1708-1776

Dr Wall founded the first Worcester porcelain factory at Warmstry House, on the banks of the River Severn, with 14 other partners in June 1751.
Dr John Wall, 1708 - 1776 - Click on image for a bigger picture
Dr Wall had developed a recipe for making porcelain with an apothecary, William Davis the Elder, who undertook the day to day running of the works. The venture was successful, but began to wane by the early 1780's.
Thomas Flight 1776-1800

Had been the London agent of the porcelain factory. He bought out the old proprietors in 1783 and his son John was put in charge of the factory. King George III visited Worcester in 1788, and granted the factory the first Royal Warrant in 1789 helping to revitalise the company's fortunes. A showroom was opened in London at the advice of the king.
John Flight - Click on image for a bigger picture
Part of the Chamberlain Porcelain works - Click on image for a bigger picture Robert Chamberlain Snr. 1736-1798

Believed to have been the first apprentice at Dr Wall's factory, Chamberlain opened an independent decorating factory in King Street in about 1783. He eventually mastered the manufacture of porcelain, and extended the factory towards Severn Street. He was so successful that competition with the original factory at Warmstry House caused the two concerns to merge in 1840, concentrating at Chamberlain's which formed the present factory site, and developed towards Diglis.
Richard Binns FSA 1819-1900

Joined the Diglis factory in 1851 when the company was at a low point. Binns was ambitious to regain the company's reputation. He became joint manager and art director and wrote the first history of the company. He also founded its first Museum. The "Royal Worcester" title for the works was adopted in 1862.
Richard Binns FSA, 1819 - 1900 - Click on image for a bigger picture
George Grainger, 1783 - 1840 - Click on image for a bigger picture Thomas Grainger 1783-1840

An apprentice at Dr Wall's factory, he was also enterprising enough to create another porcelain factory in Worcester although there were already two others in existence. The factory evolved around 1801 in the St Martin's Gate area of the city. His son George took over the business and was very successful. Grainger's had a showroom in the Foregate. The factory was eventually taken over by Royal Worcester after his death.
The Hadley Works in Diglis Road - Click on image for a bigger picture James Hadley 1837-1903

Possibly the finest ceramic modeller of the 19th century, James Hadley was trained at Royal Worcester. He went freelance in the 1870's, and eventually opened his own small factory in 1896.
James Hadley, 1837 - 1903 - Click on image for a bigger picture
Hadley's factory produced ornamental pieces known as Art Pottery using a type of faience. The factory was purchased shortly after his death by Royal Worcester.
Edward Locke 1829-1909

Formerly a senior artist and master potter at Grainger's factory, Locke left to produce his own porcelain in 1895. He created his own purpose built factory in Newtown Road which still stands today. Locke saw the opportunity of producing inexpensive giftware closely resembling the products of his former employer Grainger. He styled his wares "Worcester Porcelain" but a High Court case resulted in 1902, in which Royal Worcester successfully asserted their right to this title.

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INDUSTRIES
Brewing
Engineering
Glove Making
Pottery Making
Shoe Making
Wine & Sauce Making

Introduction
COMPANIES
Cinderella 's
Britannia Brewery
Dent Allcroft & Co.
Courtney's
Four Flags
Fownes Gloves
Hardy & Padmore
Harper & Co.
Heenan & Froude
Hill, Evans and Co.
James Archdale and Co.
Joseland & Sons Larkworthy & Co.
Lewis Clarke & Co.
Lea and Perrins
McKenzie and Holland
Mellor & Co.
Metal Box
Mining Engineering Co.
Robert Allen & Co.
Royal Worcester Spreckley Brothers Ltd. Stretton and Co.
Waldren and Co.
Williamson & Sons

History of Worcester
Old Maps & Plans
Old Photographs & Paintings
Social History Collection

Gallery Plan