The ceramic art of Great Britain from pre-historic times down to the present day, Volume 2 (of 2) : $b being a history of the ancient and modern pottery and porcelain works of the kingdom and of their productions of every classJewitt, Llewellynn Frederick William
History
The ceramic art of Great Britain from pre-historic times down to the present day, Volume 2 (of 2) : $b being a history of the ancient and modern pottery and porcelain works of the kingdom and of their productions of every class
Jewitt, Llewellynn Frederick William
Pottery, British -- History
The Bell Works were situated at the corner of Brick House Street and
Queen Street, very near to the new Wedgwood Institution, but in the
time of Josiah Wedgwood, Brick House Street was not formed, but was
a part of the ground belonging to the manufactory, and was, indeed,
waste land, covered with “shard rucks,” and other unmistakable evidence
of the potter’s art. Queen Street then, too, was little better than a
lane, but was dignified with the name of _Queen_ Street, through
Wedgwood being there appointed _Queen’s_ potter, and there making
his celebrated _Queen’s_ ware.
* * * * *
_Red Lion Works._--These were carried on by Dr. Thomas Wedgwood, and
took their name from their contiguity to the Red Lion Inn.
* * * * *
_Big House._--The pottery adjoining this house, at the corner of
Wedgwood Street and the Market Place, passing down Swan Square,
belonged to Thomas and John Wedgwood; the works have long ceased to be
used, and are converted into builder’s premises.
* * * * *
_The Ivy House_ and works, so called from the fact of the house being
covered with ivy, was situated where the butchers’ shambles now stand,
the old buildings having been purchased by the market commissioners,
and taken down for the erection of the present market in 1835. These
premises belonged to Thomas and John Wedgwood, of the “Big House,” to
whom Josiah became tenant, covenanting by written agreement to pay
for the house and the potwork attached to it the yearly rent of ten
pounds. The “Ivy House” and works were situated nearly in the centre
of Burslem, at the corner of what was then known as _Shoe Lane_, or
_Shore Lane_, now called _Wedgwood Street_, which at that time was a
narrow way, only wide enough for a single cart to pass along, and as
rough and uneven as well could be. The visitor to Burslem who desires
to know exactly the site of this historically interesting house, should
stroll up to the fine modern-built shambles, or “butchery” as it is
sometimes called, and while he stands at the corner facing down Swan
Square, he may rest assured that he is standing on what was the little
enclosed garden in front of Wedgwood’s house; that the outer wall of
the building at his back goes diagonally across the house from corner
to corner, one half being under the shambles and the other where the
street now is; that the site of one of the kilns is just beneath the
centre of the shambles; and that another kiln was about the middle of
the present street at his back; the surrounding workshops being partly
where the street now is and partly where the building at present stands.
[Illustration: Fig. 368.--The Ivy House, Burslem.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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