F J Emery

Earthenware manufacturer at the Churchyard Works from c.1878-80 and atthe Bleak Hill Works, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

January 1859 Francis Joseph Emery together with Jacob Furnival and John Derbyshire gave notice of a patent application of an invention of "improvements in apparatus for supporting articles of china and earthenware in kilns and ovens"
c.1865 "In connection with the Furnival Works, Mr. F. J. Emery of the Bleak Hill Works introduced in about 1865 a method of crayon drawing and painting on the unglazed surface of earthenware and china, which came much in repute, and drawings were made in it by some of the artists as well as by lady and other amateurs. The unglazed articles and prepared crayons and colours were supplied by Mr. Emery, who afterwards became a partner with Edward Clarke at Longport, and proprietor of the Bleak Hill Works." Source: Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900
1877 to 1881 Francis Joseph Emery was in partnership with Edward Clarke at the New Bridge Works, Longport as Edward Clarke & Co.
From 1878 to 1880 Emery occupied the famous "Churchyard Works" in Burslem, which was once operated by the Wedgwood family. These works had been operated by W. E. Withinshaw and Emery acquired some of Withinshaw designs.
In 1880 Emery moved to the Bleak Hill Works until 1894.
In the 1881 census the Emery family were living at 222 Waterloo Road, Burslem. Francis Emery was aged 49 and his occupation was 'Earthenware Manufacturer & Councillor Employing 50 Men 40 Females'.
March 1894 proceedings were taken against Francis Emery leading to bankruptcy.

Francis Joseph Emery together with Jacob Furnival and John Derbyshire
gave notice of a patent application of an invention of "improvements in
apparatus for supporting articles of china and earthenware in kilns and ovens"

F J Emery
Bleak Hill Pottery, Burslem, Staffordshire
manufacturers of
Plain, Printed, & Decorated Earthenware,
for the Home and Export trades
Also of the Registered Porcelain Mortuary Furniture: Ceramic Crayons and other
Appliances for Amateur Decoration of Pottery

bowl in the Thames pattern

The design blends geometric order with naturalistic ornament, very characteristic of transferware influenced by the Aesthetic Movement — restrained, balanced, and slightly architectural rather than heavily floral.

This pattern was originally manufactured by W. E. Withinshaw at the Churchyard Works
- it was continued by Emery when he took over the premises.

F. J .E.

the initials appear in a round belt mark with the
pattern name 'THAMES'