China Lovers Heaven: The Staffordshire Potteries -Part 2 part 1

by Mary Dessoie

The Staffordshire area is regarded widely as the world’s home of the ceramic industry. It is best to plan to stay for several days if you visit this area of England.

ROYAL DOULTON
Royal Doulton is world renowned for china tableware and giftware and perhaps best known for the stunning hand-painted figures that adorn households around the globe. Here you will have the opportunity to see the world’s largest public display of figures past and present. On a guided factory tour, you can see the creation of tableware, giftware and figures. After the tour, you may wish to visit the Sir Henry Doulton Gallery and indulge any acquisitive instincts in the factory shop. Factory tours are available weekdays and advance booking is recommended. For further information, please email: visitor@royal-doulton.com

SPODE
Josiah Spode opened his pottery in the early 1760's and founded a tradition of excellence that exists to the present. This is the oldest pottery company in England to be still operating from its original site. Spode is famed for its fine bone china. Particularly known for its classic Blue Italian china, Spode is also highly important in the area of hand-painted work. Why not visit Spode for a truly unique experience. Try your skills as decorating your own piece of pottery! Enjoy craft demonstrations, the factory tour and the shops. Detailed information about tours is available by visiting the Spode website at www.spode.co.uk

WEDGWOOD
Most famous, perhaps, is Wedgwood, originally based at Eturia and now at its purpose- built industrial village beside Barlaston. At the multimillion dollar Visitor Center, each visitor has the opportunity to tour the factory. Not only will you find rare and valuable exhibits tracing the rich history of the company, which dates from 1789, but you will experience the production process from raw clay to firing and decorating. You can even try your hand at the potterers wheel! Please email for tour dates: feedback@wedgwood.com

OTHER MANUFACTURERS
The Potteries has a multitude of smaller potters, some well known, such as Moorcroft, Aynsley, John Beswick and others newer, yet equally collectible, like Lorna Bailey, whose Art Deco style is becoming enthused about throughout the world. For complete tourism information, please contact: Stoke-on-Trent Tourist Information Center, Quadrant Road, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1RZ England or visit their website at: www.visitbritain.com   

Mary Dessoie covers a variety of topics in the field of antiques and collectibles. She founded the Butter Pat Patter Association in 1997 for beginner and advanced collectors of butter pats from the Victorian through Edwardian eras and 19th-century to current-day transportation and restaurant ware pats. Butter pats are miniature plates that were introduced during the mid-1800's for individual servings of butter. A subscription to The Patter newsletter costs $22 ($30 U.S. for Canadian friends) and includes a mint-condition Royal Doulton butter pat. Royal Doulton located in the Staffordshire area of England is known throughout the world as one of the leading manufacturers of fine china. In addition, subscribers will receive ten issues of The Patter. Sample copies of The Patter are available by sending $4.00 and a LSSAE (63 cents). For those persons who would like to start their subscriptions immediately and receive their Royal Doulton pat by return mail, please send your check or money order, payable to Mary Dessoie, to Butter Pat Patter Association, 265 Eagle Bend Drive, Bigfork, Montana 59911-6235.