Sherwin & Cotton were said to be "one of the greatest decorative tile makers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries". The distinguished ceramic artist and designer, George Cartlidge worked at Sherwin & Cotton - during his time there he gained acclaim for his émaux ombrant art and portrait tiles.

Over their period of business Sherwin & Cotton operated at a number of manufactories in the pottery town of Hanley. They were known to have been in Vine Street and Cooper Street, at the Eastwood Tile Works and the Waverley Works, Shelton.

• Originally the partners were James and Arthur Sherwin, Edward Wood and Samuel Cotton (the '& Co') operating at Vine Street, Hanley. 

• In April 1876 Edward Wood left the business which continued under the style of Sherwin & Cotton. 

• At some time David Sherwin joined the business and Samuel Cotton was replaced by Henry Cotton.

• In October 1884 David Sherwin left the business which was continued by James and Arthur Sherwin and Henry Cotton. 

• In May 1911 James and Arthur Sherwin entered into a Deed of Assignment on behalf of their creditors. It appears that Henry Cotton was no longer a partner in the business by this time.

• In 1911 the business was acquired by H. & R. Johnson.  

• Sherwin & Cotton closed in 1930.

Glazed and inlaid red clay tile in a neo-gothic style 

Six petal flower at center of a hexafoil with leaf spandrels 
and trefoils in a circle.

notice that David Sherwin left the business which was continued by James and Arthur Sherwin and Henry Cotton. 

The London Gazette
 29th August 1911

notice of Deed of Assignment for the 
benefit of Creditors 

executed on the 18th day of May, 1911, by James Sherwin, of The Gables, Basford, Stoke-on-Trent, in the county of Stafford, Tile manufacturer, and Arthur Sherwin, of Alderside, Stone, in the said county, Tile Manufacturer, carrying on business in co-partnership as Tile Manufacturers, at the Eastwood Tile Works, Eastwood-road, Hanley, in the county of Stafford aforesaid, and at the Waverley Works, Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent aforesaid under the style or firm of "Sherwin and Cotton."

Cooper Street
Hanley

Sherwin and Cotton, sanitary ware 
manufacturers 

Eastwood Road
Hanley

Sherwin and Cotton, 
tile manufacturers 

White Poppies pattern 

an Arts & Crafts rendering of white poppy flowers 
- transfer printed and hand-tinted 

incorporating the triangle/Stafford knot mark

the registration diamond shows that this pattern was registered on the 21st April 1881 

Sherwin & Cotton registered a total of ten patterns in 1881

The term emaux ombrant is "derived from the French term for 'shadow enamels,' refers to a decorative technique used in tiling. It involves applying a translucent glaze onto a tile with relief decorations. The glaze collects in the recessed areas, creating subtle variations of light and dark, resulting in delicate and intricate gradations." Clay & Stone glossary of tiling terms.

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for 12 years, spread over four non-consecutive terms beginning in 1868 and ending in 1894.  

made by Sherwin and Cotton at their works in 
Hanley in the County of Stafford

1898 

portrait of 
General Booth
1904

Made by
Sherwin & Cotton

Eastwood Works
Hanley Staffs

William Booth was an English Methodist preacher who, along with his wife, Catherine, founded the Salvation Army and became its first General