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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:

Royal Lancastrian Pottery

Active: 1891-

In 1888 the Pilkington family discovered high quality red marl clay when exploring new mineshafts for coal. They hoped to use the clay for making bricks, but were advised by a chemist at Wedgwood to make use of it for tiles. By 1897, under the leadership of William and Joseph Burton, the firm developed a new line in decorative pottery. The company’s wares were noted for their experimental lustre glazes applied to elaborately decorated vases characteristic of the arts and crafts movement.

The examples in this collection are mostly of a later date (1930s onward) and show the more modern styles espoused by the firm during that period. Lapis ware is the name given to a particular kind of decoration where the coloured design is actually fused into the glaze. bE. T. Radford was the main thrower employed throughout the period and was considered one of the most skilled in his craft.

Decorative artists represented in the collection include William S. Mycock (1872-1950) who painted lustre ware, sgraffito and incised designs; Gwladys M. Rodgers (active 1903-1938) painted lustre ware until 1928 and thereafter was the designer and decorator of the Lapis ware; Annie Burton (active 1873-1931) a niece of the director who painted tiles and lustre ware; Richard Joyce (1873-1931) worked for the firm from 1905 until his death painting lustre ware but he also excelled in modelling and carved and relief work.