The Royal Doulton Potteries at Burslem completes the North Staffordshire members of the group known as the Fine China Association. Although it was as recently as 1877 that Doulton"s acquired their Burslem works, John Doulton had an interest in a small Lambeth works in 1815, and was thus a contemporary of the younger Spode and Thomas Minton. This small beginning has grown into the largest pottery undertaking in Europe and probably in the world.

There are three other Doulton potteries in Staffordshire—at Stoke, Dudley and Tamworth— as well as the head office in Lambeth, works at Erith (Kent), and china clay fields at Hamworthy in Dorset. 

The Royal Doulton Potteries at Burslem, however, are the subject of this article, for it's the one factory of the group which produces fine bone china and earthenware table-ware, fancy lines, figures and animals, character and Toby jugs, "Rouge Flambe" and "Sung" glazed ware.

It was in 1877, as we have already said, that Doultons decided to extend their interest in decorated pottery, and they acquired an old-established pottery which is the present Burslem site. A distinguished staff of designers, modellers and artists was gathered together—indeed, few pottery factories can claim so many ceramic artists who have served them during the past half-century and more—as instance Birbeck, specialist in fish and game; Charles John Noke, modeller and designer; Leslie Johnson, the miniaturist; Hancock, game, birds and animals in their native haunts; Raby, painter of roses and peonies; and Curnock, as well as many others.

From 1877 onwards, pioneering activities opened up one new field of ceramic enterprise after another, and by utilising the latest developments of scientific and technical research, they set a standard of quality that enabled them to maintain their leading position. In order to meet the overwhelming demand for their products from all world markets, the Burslem factory has been and is still being developed.

In 1901 the factory was honoured by the presentation of the Royal Warrant to its Chairman, and the Doulton Potteries received the right to use the word " Royal " in the description of their manufactures. The Burslem factory has been favoured by many Royal visits, the most recent being when Princess Elizabeth (H.M. Queen Elizabeth II) spent an hour and a half in the plant on November 2nd, 1949.

In the preservation of art and craftsmanship no place has been found for the perfection of the soulless technique associated with mass-production. It is to the credit of most leading Stoke-on-Trent manufacturers that they have not sacrificed quality in an attempt to satisfy the insatiable appetite in all markets. Because they believe that on quality depends the future prosperity of the industry, an immense amount of time and effort is still being devoted to the "wedding" of traditional craftsmanship to modern methods of production.

This factory is one of the few which produces both earthenware and bone china tableware. The wide variety of designs all possess individuality and character, the colourings are superb and the quality is of the highest.

In the field of ceramic sculpture Royal Doulton figures have an unrivalled charm of individuality. They have succeeded in establishing their own tradition, achieving their effect not by elaboration of detail but rather by a freshness of colour, originality of theme, and simplicity of line. Each one is modelled by a craftsman and delicately painted by hand. The animal models, too, whether they be horses, dogs or denizens of the jungle, all bear the same hallmark of perfection. The interesting range of championship dogs are portrayed from life, and are passed by their owners as perfect reproductions in form and colouring.

In a more modest price range are the Doulton Character Jugs and Toby Jugs. In their delightful subtle characterisation, and in their vigorous detailed modelling, these set a standard which will bear comparison with the best work of earlier periods.

Research plays an important part in the pottery industry to-day. In their own particular spheres the ceramic research laboratories not only combat the day-to-day problems but engage in experi¬mental work associated with bodies, glazes and colours. Mention of this field of research cannot pass without some reference to an achievement of this century. 

For nearly a thousand years the world lost the secrets which enabled the Chinese master potters of the Sung Dynasty to produce their superb colours and glazes. After years of patient research the Royal Doulton Potteries bridged the centuries and provided unique examples of ceramic craftsmanship in the form of the Sung glazed ware, of which a connoisseur has said: 

" I can safely assert that the Sung Dynasty never saw any porcelain as wonderful as this ". 

Many consider the "Veined Sung" to be the most exquisite of these productions derived from the original " Rouge Flambe "' a name which will for all time be linked with that of Doulton.

As far back as 1937 this Burslem factory had been earmarked for reconstruction on an ambitious scale. It has been decided to eliminate, without interfering with production, whole sections of the factory and to replace with a modern layout and up-to-date plant and machinery.

The reconstruction is now completed and the city of Stoke-on-Trent can well be proud of what is one of the largest single pottery manufacturing units in the whole world. Each department has been progressively modernised and the latest engineering equipment and gas-fired tunnel kilns installed. The whole scheme has been developed with efficiency, quality and an increase in output the keynote.

from: City of Stoke-on-Trent Business Directory 1957