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 Jurors’ Report of 1862 says: “The tiles exhibited by this firm are
deserving of high commendation; the designs are well selected; the
equality of surface evidences great efficiency. Messrs. T. and R. Boote
claim some originality in their process, to which this perfection is
not only attributable, but obtained at a much less cost.”
[Illustration: Fig. 379.]
* * * * *
_Washington Works._--The business now carried on at this manufactory
originated experimentally in King Street, Burslem, where the late Mr.
William S. Kennedy, about the year 1838, commenced the production of
palettes and other requisites for artists’ use. Shortly afterwards,
removing to a pottery in Bourne’s Bank, he there added to his business
the manufacture of door furniture, letters for signs, &c. With
perseverance, Mr. Kennedy combated the difficulties which these novel
articles presented; and while in conjunction with Mr. William Maddock,
who remained with the firm for thirty-five years, he was successful in
effecting great improvements in the various processes. About 1847, the
manufacture was removed to its present locality, and has from time to
time been enlarged. The marks W. S. KENNEDY and J. MACINTYRE have been
very rarely used.
In 1852 Mr. Kennedy was joined in partnership by his brother-in-law,
Mr. James Macintyre, who shortly afterwards became sole proprietor
of the works. In 1863, Mr. Macintyre patented methods of producing
oval, reeded, octagon, and other forms, by the lathe; and he was ever
alert to devise and apply improvements in mechanism, &c. He succeeded
in the production of a rich cream-coloured body, which, under the
name of “Ivory China,” has held a high reputation, and will always
be honourably associated with the “Washington” Works. In 1867 Mr.
Macintyre produced backs for hair-brushes, hand-mirrors, &c., which
were patented by Mr. J. J. Hicks, and in numerous other instances,
especially for France, the “body” has been used as an ivory substitute.
So far as can be ascertained, the successful application to door
furniture of the earlier invention of the beautiful black, which
is produced by dipping the brownish red _bisque_ in a rich cobalt
glaze, also originated at these works. This “jet,” produced in great
perfection, has been applied in plain, and also with richly gilt and
enamelled ornamentation, not only to door furniture, but more recently
to inkstands and similar goods. Mr. Macintyre, who was a man of public
spirit and great enterprise, was much beloved by his workpeople, and
the annual festive gatherings in which he, his family and friends, met
his employés, obtained a well-merited celebrity. He died in December,
1868, having a few years previously taken into partnership his
confidential manager, Mr. Thomas Hulme, and his son-in-law, Mr. William
Woodall. By these two gentlemen the business is still carried on under
the old title of “James Macintyre and Co.”
* * * * *
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