The Pottery Industry 1700–1900

Prior to the eighteenth century, the quality of British pottery was very basic. It consisted of wares which were brown, black or dirty yellow in colour. The nobility preferred to use pewter mugs whilst the poor ate from wooden plates. In the early eighteenth century the location of the pottery industry was widespread and scattered. Wherever there were deposits of suitable clay, pottery was made. Bristol, Derby, Worcester, Glasgow and North Staffordshire were all important local centres. The organisation was, however, very much based on a domestic system. A common pattern was for a farmer and his family to make pottery as a ‘sideline’. Many farmers had their own kiln and they sold their wares at the nearest local market. From about 1750 changes began to take place in the British pottery industry which resulted in it becoming a major factory-based industry. Most of the changes were inspired by Josiah Wedgwood in North Staffordshire.