Maker/Retailer Biography

Doulton & Co., Lambeth Pottery

Dates: 1853-1956

See items in our stock by Doulton & Co., Lambeth Pottery

Successor to Doulton & Watts, makers of salt-glazed stoneware for domestic and manufacturing purposes and chemical works from 1851. When Watts retired Henry Doulton merged his drainpipe company with his brother's share of Doulton & Watts to form Doulton & Co. He was persuaded by John Sparkes to take on George Tinworth, an unemployed ex-student from the Lambeth School of Art, to produce decorative wares, and to set up an experimental art pottery studio for other ex-students of the school in the 1860s. The firm had shown successfully at the exhibitions in 1851, 1862 and 1867. The new range of art pottery was so successful at the London exhibition of 1871 that he extended his support, and by the 1880s the Lambeth Pottery was employing over 200 artists and designers, many of whom were women. Dresser described it as the first example of the artist controlling the manufacturer. The art wares were also shown at London in 1872, Philadelphia in 1876, Paris in 1878 and Chicago in 1893. The list of artists and designers is endless, but includes Hannah Barlow who had worked at Minton's Art Pottery Studio, George Tinworth, Mark V. Marshall, who had worked as a decorator for the Martin Brothers, and Frank Butler. The Lambeth pottery closed down in 1956. Royal Doulton has become the largest manufacturer of ceramics in the UK, having merged with other producers including Minton, making decorative architectural and sanitary wares. The company was absorbed into Betashire Ltd in the twentieth century.