A Wenger

Colour manufacturers at Waterloo Road, Cobridge, Burslem (c.1870-77); Parker Street, Hanley (c.1877-1900) and Etruria (c.1900-1964).

Also for a brief time (c.1880-92) earthenware manufacture at the Helvetia Works, Parker Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, England

The Wenger family first came to Stoke-on-Trent from Switzerland in the 1860's.
The business was started in 1870 by Albert Francis Wenger as 'manufacturers and suppliers of colours, oxides and glazes for pottery decoration'.
The original works were in Cobridge, by at least 1877 he had moved to Parker Street, Hanley.
Wenger named his works in Hanley Helvetia Works - Helvetia is the female national personification of Switzerland - the figure and name appeared on stamps, coins and statues in Switzerland.
For a period (c.1880-92 is listed in trade directories) Albert Wenger also manufactured highly coloured earthenware which showed off the colours that they manufactured.
Albert Wenger was also in partnership with John T Cope as J. T. Cope & Co., china and earthenware manufacturers - this partnership was dissolved in 1886.
1895 incorporated as a Limited company.
The company moved to Etruria around 1900 and developed into a successful manufacturer of materials for decorating ceramic, glass and metals.
In 1893 Wenger became a naturalized British Citizen.
Albert Wenger owned an interest with a James Best as Mine Owners and Clay Merchants in Cornwall, this was dissolved in 1896.
1924 - February 25th Albert F Wenger died at the age of 86 leaving property valued at around £96,500 and net personal worth of £93,500.
1964 Wengers Ltd became bankrupt. It appears that they came out of liquidation and finally closed in 1984.

"Manufacturer of Relief Enamel or Longwy Ware in Tiles and Fancy Goods,
Barbotine and other Fancy Wares".

A Wenger
Parker Street Works, Hanley, Staffordshire
Manufacturer of Relief Enamel or Longwy Ware

advert in the Staffordshire Sentinel Newspaper:-
26 Jan 1880

"ENAMEL PAINTRESSES WANTED.
Apply, A Wenger, Parker-street Works, Hanley"

Tazza produced by A Wenger, Hanley in the Longwy style

Tazza (from the Italian 'cup') is a shallow saucer like dish mounted on a foot

A Wenger, Hanley

impressed 'fish' mark

the signature and impressed mark both appear on the tazza

the top of the Tazza - decorated in relief enamel, also known as Longwy Ware

notice of the dissolution of the partnership between Wenger & Cope
china and earthenware manufacturers

notice of the dissolution of the partnership between Best & Wenger
clay merchants and mine owners

running centre top to bottom is Trinity Street and Etruria Road
Hanley - 1929
Britain from above

- click picture for more -

Green rectangle is the Helvetia Works of Albert Wenger
Red line is Parker Street

Blue rectangle is the works of Charles Ford

Light Blue line = Trinity Street
Yellow line = Marsh Street
Purple line = Clough Street
Light blue circle = Former chapel, then Scout Shop, then a restaurant

by the time of this photo (1929) Wenger had moved from this works in Hanley to a purpose built factory in Etruria.
The Helvetia Works were subsequently occupied by Ratauds Ltd., ceramic transfer manufacturers

Louis Alphonse Salvetat (b.1820), was a ceramic chemist at the Sèvres imperial porcelain factory, France

Leçons De Céramique Professées À L'école Centrale Des Arts Et Manufactures, Ou Technologie Céramique. - Lessons in Ceramics Given at the Central School of Arts and Manufactures, or Ceramic Technology.

Second edition - 1857

This book is a compilation of lessons on ceramics given by Professor Louis Alphonse Salvétat at the École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures. It explores in detail the different techniques of ceramic manufacturing, including decoration and firing. This book was an essential guide for any ceramics student or professional looking to deepen their knowledge in this field.