The wonder of Worcester Porcelain with Colin Millett

A city heritage success story from 1751 -2009

Worcester Porcelain's story begins in 1751, when Dr. John Wall, a physician, and William Davis, an apothecary, established the Worcester Porcelain Company. Their vision was to produce fine porcelain that could rival that imported from China and Europe. Using Cornish china clay brought by sea in barrels (then recycled for packing the finished items), coal from the Midlands and the expertise of skilled craftsmen, Worcester Porcelain quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality but labour-intensive products aimed at the upper classes and royalty. Admiral Nelson &Lady Hamilton and King George III & Queen Charlotte were just some of the names who visited and commissioned sets , pieces of which can be seen in the museum https://www.museumofroyalworcester.org

In 1789 the blue lily design was renamed the Royal Lily and the first royal warrant issued, becoming Royal Worcester Porcelain, continued through subsequent monarchs and with a crown seen on the mark.

 Each era brought its own artistic influences, reflecting the changing tastes and cultural trends of the time, from Georgian through Victorian to post war times. The artistry of Worcester Porcelain is a testament to the skill and creativity of its craftsmen.

Colin showed us beautiful images  of various painters’ , gilders’ and modellers’ work. It was a male dominated world, and the pay was piecework, but the talent was across the genders. Here are only a few of the better-known workers.

• Harry Davis worked there from 1898-1969, whose speciality was sheep, painted entirely from postcards and was awarded the BEM in 1952 for services to ceramics.
• Kitty Bake who served for nearly 50 years as a skilled painter and gilder 
• The Stinton family aka “The Holy Trinity” in the 1920s- father John, known for his paintings of Highland Cattle and gilding skills: uncle James who worked on larger pieces such as vases : and son Harry who worked on smaller pieces such as painting inside a cup
• Freda Doughty whose whimsical series of cute figurines appealed in the harder times of the 1930s and 40s

Check out the website or even better visit the museum in person for many more beautiful pieces

The talk finished with a quiz regarding the factory stamp (see image) which I’m pleased to say Pershore and District u3a passed with flying colours! This was a great talk from an engaging and humorous speaker.

Sally Whyte 

Speaker Coordinator.