Class XXV.] WEDGEWOOD, KIDGWAY AND CO., MAYER, DIMMOCK, Ac.
541
porcelain are also exhibited by some of the firms here-after named ; but the Jury have not been able to considerthese as furnishing any ground for an award. In manycases, indeed, they are open to much criticism. Violentcolours, and forms of loose indefinite shape, with muchoverloaded decoration, are frequent. The Jury has alsonoticed in some cases a fault to which they deem it wellto direct attention, viz., the application of elaborategilding and flower-painting, very suitable for porcelain,and sometimes of taste and execution which would havebeen well adapted to that material, to the inferior sub-stances of stone and earthenware. This they consider amisapplication of skill and labour, expended with noadequate result, or with etfects which, to a severe taste,are positively displeasing.
Ridgway, J., and Co., Cauldon Place, Staffordshire (5, p. 714), is one of the most important manufacturersof earthenware in the Staffordshire Potteries, and exhibitsarticles in this department of first-rate quality. He has,with much spirit, ingenuity, and success, adapted thismaterial to a variety of sanatory purposes; and in his jstall the Jury observed the application, or the proposed ■application, of it to the banister and hand-rail of stair- :cases. The specimen shown has at first sight a fresh ;and pleasing effect; but it may be questioned how farthe mechanical difficulty of preserving accuracy of out-lines in such large pieces as are requisite for this purposecan be successfully overcome. I.awn and conservatoryfountains are also shown. The excellent quality ofMessrs. Ridgway’s ware, fully accounting for the com-mercial importance of their manufacture, has well en-titled them, in the estimation of the Jury, to an award ofthe Prize Medal.
Mayer, T. J. aiul J., Burslem, Staffordshire (9, p. 719),is another firm in this great branch of manufacture, andhave exhibited a most interesting assortment of articlesillustrative of the ordinary course of their trade, which isprincipally connected with the markets of the AmericanContinent . Messrs. Mayer adapt their excellent materialto every variety of useful purpose. One of these appearsto be novel. They have made tea-urns of stoneware of a jhard vitreous body, capable of withstanding the varia- jtions of temperature required in this application. They !have also exhibited a variety of jugs in parian, to which :material they have applied colour with success, and in !the composition of which they claim to have introducedsome important modifications, with the view of rendering Jit proof against the effect of sudden changes of tern- iperature, from boiling water, &c. The Jury haveawarded to Messrs. Mayer a Prize Medal.
Dimmock, T., Shelton, Staffordshire (12, p. 72*2).—This manufacturer has exhibited also earthenware offirst-rate quality; and the Jury have much admired theneatness and good taste of his printed patterns, the agree-able effect of his “ flowing blue,” and in general theexcellence of his ware. They have awarded a PrizeMedal to this exhibitor.
Alcock, S., and Co., Burslem, Staffordshire (7, p. 719).—This is another very important stall, as exhibiting theproductions of a most extensive manufacturer, as well inporcelain as in the cheaper wares. Fancy articles inparian or biscuit, of most delicate execution, are shownin this stall; and the Jury may mention as remarkablefor fancy and freshness of effect a number of vases andjugs, of various forms and colours,—in particular some |with white figures on a blue ground,—and some with jgreen ornaments on the same ground. The Jury haveawarded a Prize Medal.
Mkich. C.. and Sons, Hanley, Staffordshire (10, p. 720),have exhibited excellent earthenware, and some specimensof very remarkable size, especially two great vases, ofone piece each. Their white enamel ware is of first-ratequality, and has an extensive hold on the market. TheJury have awarded a Prize Medal.
Booth, T. and R., Burslem, Staffordshire (11, p. 722).—The articles exhibited in this stall are well worthy of ispecial notice, on account both of some new processes in jthe manufacture of earthenware, and for the remarkable ;grace ami beauty of some of the productions. The :inlaying of one clay upon another,- as white upon blue, j
—is a process patented by Messrs. Bootc, and lias im-portant results in rendering simple and easy certainetfects and combinations of colour, which it was beforeimpossible or difficult to produce. Some vases or jarsexhibited by Messrs. Boote, of a pate brown clay colour,with vine leaves and tendrils in high relief, are deservingof much praise as both extremely beautiful in design antiin effect, and manifesting great skill in the managementof material. The Jury have awarded a Prize Medal.
Bourse, J., Derby Pottery, Derby (35, p. 725).—Thismanufacturer has the merit of making stoneware bottles,which have the property of resisting the action of black-ing in a manner which had been found extremely difficultof attainment. Their bottles are consequently employedto a large extent by Messrs. Day and Martin in the exporttrade to India and elsewhere. The Jury have awardedMr. Bourne a Prize Medal.
Greek, S., and Co., Lambeth (Class XXVII., 125,p. 775).— This firm exhibits some very remarkable speci-mens of stoneware, of great size, designed for the use ofbreweries, distilleries, &c., and which, on account of theirhardness of glaze and other qualities, are of great valuein many processes of chemical manufacture. The Juryhave awarded a Prize Medal.
Finch, J., London (38, p. 725), exhibits articles ofearthenware for wash and steam-tubs, and other sanatorypurposes, which have appeared to the Jury deserving theaward of a Prize Medal.
The Jury, in addition to the Exhibitors before men-tioned, to whom they have awarded Medals, desire tonotice, as deserving very Honourable Mention, the follow-ing names:—
Kennedy, W. S., Burslem, Staffordshire (4,p. 714\ whoexhibits a large assortment of door-handles, “ placques,”and other similar applications of china and earthen-ware, which has become in his hands a separate and im-portant branch of ceramic manufacture. In the objectsin this stall, utility of application is combined with cheap-ness and agreeable appearance.
KEYsandMouNTFORD,Xewcastle-undcr-Lyne, Staffordshire (14, p. 722), exhibit a series of statuettes in parian,well executed, and of a pretty effect.
Pratt, F. and R., and Co., Fenton, Staffordshire , (22,p. 724), exhibit some very remarkable specimens of aprocess which they seem to have greatly improved, viz.,that of coloured printing uuder the glaze. The freshnessand truth of the colouring, in some of these specimens,from pictures by Mulready, Wilkie, &c., are excellent.They also exhibit some earthenware of very good formsand style of ornament.
Bell, J., and Co., Glasgow (20, p. 724), being the onlyexhibitors in this Class from Scotland , are deserving ofnotice, not only on this account, but on account also ofthe good quality and design of the ware they show.
Chamberlain and Co., of Worcester (44. p. 720), ex-hibit some perforated china of agreeable effect.
Edwards, J., and Sons, Dale Hall, Staffordshire (37,p. 725), exhibit a very large and fine model of theWarwick vase, in terra-cotta, and an earthenware tea-tray, &c.
Grainger, G., and Co., Worcester (40, p. 720\ ex-hibit articles of semi-porcelain, the good quality of someof which, for chemical purposes, is well attested.
Southorn, W., and Co., Brosely, Shropshire (29,p. 725), exhibit superior tobacco-pipes.
Wood, G., Brentford (34, p. 725', exhibits some orna-mental orange-tree garden-pots of remarkable size.
Sharpe Brothers and Co., Swadlincote, Burton-on-Trent (30, p. 725), exhibit specimens of ironstone cane-ware and printed earthenware, which are worthy ofnotice.
Lee, J., Rotherham. Yorkshire (48, p. 728), exhibitthe application of earthenware to letters for sign-boards,See., which is a useful and pretty adaptation.
Challinor, E. (Class XXVII., 104, p. 7 72)— Earthen-ware.
The attention of the Jury has been much attracted bytwo designs, one of a bust, the other of a vase, executedby James Marsh (34, P- 732), a young pupil of theSchool of Design, Hanley, Staffordshire , which possess