School of Art

Contact Details

School of Art
Aberystwyth University
Buarth Mawr
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 1NG

Tel: +44 (0)1970 622460

Fax: +44 (0)1970 622461

Email: artschool@aber.ac.uk


Display artist/maker:

Pearsons of Chesterfield

   Active: 1810-1994

Pearson’s of Chesterfield was established as James Pearson & Co. in 1810. This was one of many potteries in the Chesterfield area, specifically around Brampton, Newbold and Whittington to the west and north of the town centre, owing to a natural abundance of clay and coal. This clay was particularly well suited to the manufacture of brownware pottery and stoneware, kitchen pots, jugs, bottles, dishes, and jars.

Also known as Whittington Moor pottery, Pearson’s employed over 620 people at its height. The business occupied six acres and made use of its own nearby clay pit and colliery. Specialities of the pottery included the manufacture of vessels used for fruit preservation, ale bottles and pop bottles.

In the pottery’s early period, Dressler tunnel ovens were used for the firing of all wares. During the Second World War part of the factory was dedicated to the manufacture of shells. Historically an important section of the business was the manufacture of rum bottles for the Royal Navy, typically in a one-gallon size, with basket weaving also taking place on site.

Objects in the collections associated with this artist/maker

[Jar] C2058 Ceramics




 
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