Aller Vale Pottery
Encyclopedia
The Aller Vale Pottery was formed in 1865 on the northern edge of the village of Kingskerswell
in South Devon
, England on the likely site of a medieval pottery. It became well known for the creation of art pottery
at the end of the 19th century and gained Royal patronage, but declined thereafter, closing on this site in about 1924. The name continued in use until 1962 related to the production of mass-produced mottoware for the tourist market.
on the site in medieval times, as evidenced by the excavation of medieval tiles there. The pottery was founded in 1865 in the hamlet of Aller between the village of Kingskerswell
and the town of Newton Abbot
and had originally produced simple kitchenware. In 1868 it was taken over by John Phillips (born 1835 in Shaugh Prior
), a clay merchant who lived in Newton Abbot. Phillips changed the focus of the company to make builders' earthenware
—drainpipes, roof tiles, chimney pots and the like. The company was listed in an 1870 directory as "Phillips, John & Co., manufacturers of architectural pottery and firebricks".
Phillips was influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement
and the ideals of William Morris
, leading him to set up cottage classes in Kingskerswell and the nearby villages of Abbotskerswell
and Coffinswell
to teach useful skills to the uneducated young. Up to 64 young people between the ages of 11 and 23 attended these twice-weekly classes where they learned pottery, wood and stone carving, painting, stitching, embroidery, and ironwork which was taught by the local blacksmith.
in 1881 after it was rebuilt following a fire. At this time it was renamed as the Aller Vale Art Pottery. In 1886 the pottery was visited by Princess Louise
, daughter of Queen Victoria, after she had bought some of its wares. This was the start of a long period of patronage and led to the pottery being renamed as the Royal Aller Vale Pottery. Other members of the Royal family also became customers, including Princess Alexandra
. Between 1887 and 1901 Aller Vale Art Pottery was stocked by Liberty & Co
in London.
In autumn 1889 the 27-year-old Domenico Marcucci came to Aller Vale as one of the chief designers. He was an Italian decorator from Faenza
, a city noted for its faience
pottery. Marcucci had been involved in two exhibitions in London during the previous year: an Italian exhibition in Kensington, and one of ceramics at William de Morgan
's premises. His influence had a great impact on the designs and the quality of Aller Vale's pottery. Marcucci is thought to be responsible for the introduction of a design of blue slipware
scrolls over a cream ground which was admired by Princess Alexandra, who placed a special order for it. She asked that the design should be called Sandringham Ware and it was marketed under that name.
Charles Collard worked as an apprentice to Phillips from the age of 12 in 1886 and, under Marcucci's influence, rose to be one of the top decorators at the pottery by the mid-1890s. His designs were also strongly influenced by İznik pottery
.
, Dorset in 1905. He later bought the Honiton Pottery
which continued in production until the 1990s.
On Phillips' death, Aller Vale was acquired by Hexter, Humpherson & Co., a Kingsteignton
-based company that manufactured tiles and sanitary fittings. In 1901 they also acquired the Watcombe Pottery in Torquay
and amalgamated the two companies as the "Royal Aller Vale & Watcombe Pottery Company". This company, with its name sometimes simplified to "Royal Watcombe" continued working until 1962, mostly creating mottoware for the tourist market.
Work at the Aller Vale Pottery site ceased in about 1924, and the site is now occupied by a small estate of offices and light business units, surrounded by houses.
Kingskerswell
Kingskerswell is a village and civil parish in the south of the county of Devon, England. The village grew up where an ancient track took the narrowest point across a marshy valley and it is of ancient foundation, being mentioned in the Domesday Book. It has a church dating back to the 14th century...
in South Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England on the likely site of a medieval pottery. It became well known for the creation of art pottery
Ceramic art
In art history, ceramics and ceramic art mean art objects such as figures, tiles, and tableware made from clay and other raw materials by the process of pottery. Some ceramic products are regarded as fine art, while others are regarded as decorative, industrial or applied art objects, or as...
at the end of the 19th century and gained Royal patronage, but declined thereafter, closing on this site in about 1924. The name continued in use until 1962 related to the production of mass-produced mottoware for the tourist market.
History
There had probably been a potteryPottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
on the site in medieval times, as evidenced by the excavation of medieval tiles there. The pottery was founded in 1865 in the hamlet of Aller between the village of Kingskerswell
Kingskerswell
Kingskerswell is a village and civil parish in the south of the county of Devon, England. The village grew up where an ancient track took the narrowest point across a marshy valley and it is of ancient foundation, being mentioned in the Domesday Book. It has a church dating back to the 14th century...
and the town of Newton Abbot
Newton Abbot
Newton Abbot is a market town and civil parish in the Teignbridge District of Devon, England on the River Teign, with a population of 23,580....
and had originally produced simple kitchenware. In 1868 it was taken over by John Phillips (born 1835 in Shaugh Prior
Shaugh Prior
Shaugh Prior is a village and civil parish on the south-western side of Dartmoor in the county of Devon, England. In 2001 its population was 751. The parish stretches from the edge of Plymouth to the high moorland of Dartmoor. The River Plym forms its western and northern boundaries up to the...
), a clay merchant who lived in Newton Abbot. Phillips changed the focus of the company to make builders' earthenware
Earthenware
Earthenware is a common ceramic material, which is used extensively for pottery tableware and decorative objects.-Types of earthenware:Although body formulations vary between countries and even between individual makers, a generic composition is 25% ball clay, 28% kaolin, 32% quartz, and 15%...
—drainpipes, roof tiles, chimney pots and the like. The company was listed in an 1870 directory as "Phillips, John & Co., manufacturers of architectural pottery and firebricks".
Phillips was influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
and the ideals of William Morris
William Morris
William Morris 24 March 18343 October 1896 was an English textile designer, artist, writer, and socialist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement...
, leading him to set up cottage classes in Kingskerswell and the nearby villages of Abbotskerswell
Abbotskerswell
Abbotskerswell is a village and civil parish in the English county of Devon. The village is in the north part of the parish and is located two miles south of the town of Newton Abbot, from the seaside resort of Torquay and from the city of Plymouth...
and Coffinswell
Coffinswell
Coffinswell is a small village in South Devon, England, just off the A380, the busy Newton Abbot to Torquay road. It lies within Teignbridge District Council.Coffinswell has a church dedicated to Saint Bartholomew with a Norman font...
to teach useful skills to the uneducated young. Up to 64 young people between the ages of 11 and 23 attended these twice-weekly classes where they learned pottery, wood and stone carving, painting, stitching, embroidery, and ironwork which was taught by the local blacksmith.
Art pottery
Under Phillips' control the works started producing art potteryCeramic art
In art history, ceramics and ceramic art mean art objects such as figures, tiles, and tableware made from clay and other raw materials by the process of pottery. Some ceramic products are regarded as fine art, while others are regarded as decorative, industrial or applied art objects, or as...
in 1881 after it was rebuilt following a fire. At this time it was renamed as the Aller Vale Art Pottery. In 1886 the pottery was visited by Princess Louise
Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll
The Princess Louise was a member of the British Royal Family, the sixth child and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and her husband, Albert, Prince Consort.Louise's early life was spent moving between the various royal residences in the...
, daughter of Queen Victoria, after she had bought some of its wares. This was the start of a long period of patronage and led to the pottery being renamed as the Royal Aller Vale Pottery. Other members of the Royal family also became customers, including Princess Alexandra
Alexandra of Denmark
Alexandra of Denmark was the wife of Edward VII of the United Kingdom...
. Between 1887 and 1901 Aller Vale Art Pottery was stocked by Liberty & Co
Liberty (department store)
Liberty is a long-established department store in Regent Street in Central London, England, in the West End shopping district.-Early years:...
in London.
In autumn 1889 the 27-year-old Domenico Marcucci came to Aller Vale as one of the chief designers. He was an Italian decorator from Faenza
Faenza
Faenza is an Italian city and comune, in the province of Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, situated 50 km southeast of Bologna.Faenza is noted for its manufacture of majolica ware glazed earthenware pottery, known from the name of the town as "faience"....
, a city noted for its faience
Faience
Faience or faïence is the conventional name in English for fine tin-glazed pottery on a delicate pale buff earthenware body, originally associated with Faenza in northern Italy. The invention of a white pottery glaze suitable for painted decoration, by the addition of an oxide of tin to the slip...
pottery. Marcucci had been involved in two exhibitions in London during the previous year: an Italian exhibition in Kensington, and one of ceramics at William de Morgan
William De Morgan
William Frend De Morgan was an English potter and tile designer. A lifelong friend of William Morris, he designed tiles, stained glass and furniture for Morris & Co. from 1863 to 1872. His tiles are often based on medieval designs or Persian patterns, and he experimented with innovative glazes and...
's premises. His influence had a great impact on the designs and the quality of Aller Vale's pottery. Marcucci is thought to be responsible for the introduction of a design of blue slipware
Slipware
Slipware is a type of pottery identified by its primary decorating process where slip was placed onto the leather-hard clay body surface by dipping, painting or splashing...
scrolls over a cream ground which was admired by Princess Alexandra, who placed a special order for it. She asked that the design should be called Sandringham Ware and it was marketed under that name.
Charles Collard worked as an apprentice to Phillips from the age of 12 in 1886 and, under Marcucci's influence, rose to be one of the top decorators at the pottery by the mid-1890s. His designs were also strongly influenced by İznik pottery
Iznik pottery
İznik pottery, named after the town in western Anatolia where it was made, is highly decorated ceramics that was produced between the late 15th and 17th centuries....
.
Decline
Phillips' death in 1897 led to a decline at the pottery. Many of the potters left shortly afterwards, including Collard who worked briefly for Hart and Moist Pottery in Exeter, then at Longpark Pottery in Torquay, and then founded the Crown Dorset Art Pottery in PoolePoole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
, Dorset in 1905. He later bought the Honiton Pottery
Honiton pottery
Honiton pottery is a type of earthenware pottery from Honiton, Devon. The popular design was Jacobean, and the most famous designer was Charles Collard who learned his trade at the Aller Vale Pottery in Kingskerswell. Its heyday was in the 1930s....
which continued in production until the 1990s.
On Phillips' death, Aller Vale was acquired by Hexter, Humpherson & Co., a Kingsteignton
Kingsteignton
Kingsteignton is a town and civil parish in South Devon, England. It lies at the head of the Teign Estuary to the west of Teignmouth in the Teignbridge district. It is bypassed by the A380 and is also on the A383, B3193 and B3195....
-based company that manufactured tiles and sanitary fittings. In 1901 they also acquired the Watcombe Pottery in Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
and amalgamated the two companies as the "Royal Aller Vale & Watcombe Pottery Company". This company, with its name sometimes simplified to "Royal Watcombe" continued working until 1962, mostly creating mottoware for the tourist market.
Work at the Aller Vale Pottery site ceased in about 1924, and the site is now occupied by a small estate of offices and light business units, surrounded by houses.