Rockingham Pottery

Rockingham at AbdyAntiques

Rockingham Pottery

Collector of Rockingham

Profile of Rockingham

I collect Rockingham Pottery and wares. The first pottery began in 1745 just outside Swinton, south yorkshire England. The pottery was started by a potter named Joseph Flint who rented land from the Marquis of Rockingham's estate. Initially the pottery used locally available clays. later in 1753 the pottery was sold to Edward Butler, who then sold it to William Malpass in 1765. The pottery then began to produce fine tableware's. Better quality clays were then imported from Cornwall and Kent.
In 1778 the firm began trading as 'Bingley, Wood and Co'. The thriving company was then taken over by the rival Leeds Pottery in 1787. Then in 1806 the Leeds Pottery withdrew from the firm leaving it in the control of John and William Brameld, father and son of a family who had worked for the pottery for may years. these were then trademarked "Brameld"

The firm had severe problems in 1819 and the Brameld brother appealed to Earl Fitzwilliam, who advanced a series of loans to help cover the debts. The pottery was renamed the Rockingham Works as a compliment to Earl Fitzwilliam's uncle, the Marquis of Rockingham, from whom he had inherited his estates. The family crest of a griffin was adopted as the factory mark. The red griffin mark was used between 1826 and 1830. High quality tea and dessert services in a wide variety of colours and patterns established a first class reputation for Rockingham ware. From 1830 to 1841 the griffin mark was printed in puce, with "Manufacturer to the King" often added below. Items were produced in large numbers and with great diversity of style and decoration, besides the useful wares the works produced figures and busts.

The company went bankrupt again in 1841. The new Earl Fitzwilliam refused to extend them further credit and the factory was closed down. All that remains in the Twenty-first Century is the Waterloo Kiln (built in 1815) by the pottery pond.

I love Rockingham and Brameld Pottery and have a small collection of old phones