E Brain and Co Ltd

Location and period of operation:

This potter is included in appendix 4 of the book "British Potters and Potters today (published 1956).
 (See sources)

Manufacturers of porcelain at the Foley Works, Fenton.

1956 Article on the Brain pottery.

The works were formerly Robinson & Son.

In 1958 Messrs E. Brain & Co Ltd took over the business of Coalport China Ltd. Since 1963 production has continued under the Coalport name.

NOTE: Wileman also used the name FOLEY on their ware.

BRAIN, Elijah (1845-1910), pottery manufacturer, Fenton. 

E S was born in Fenton on 24 November1842. He was educated at Fenton and Stoke National Schools and later attended the Fenton and Stoke Athenaeums to improve his education. He began work as a jigger and mould runner for Baker and Co., Fenton, and worked his way up to cashier for the firm. 

He left in 1855 and became a partner in Robinson and Son, The Foley (King Street). From 1885 he was in partnership with A. B. Jones and W. Hawker. 

He served as president of the English China Manufacturers Association. He was elected to the Fenton Local Board of Health in1855 and was first chairman of the Fenton Urban District Council in1894 and again in 1897. He was instrumental in securing the erection of a bridge at Fenton railway station in place of the level crossing, and was one of the founders of the Fenton Nursing Institution. He was a strong Liberal and an advocate of tariff reform. A member of the Fenton Education Committee from its inception and of the committee which helped to establish the Hanchurch Holiday Home pioneered by Millicent Duchess of Sutherland.

From 1875 E B was a conductor of the Mount Tabor chapel choir and was also one of the founders of the Stoke Philharmonic Society. In 1878 he inaugurated the Fenton Children's Religious Services, with an annual festival at Fenton town hall. He served on the Stoke upon Trent school board. In 1910 he failed to gain election to the federated council of Stoke on Trent, trailing Phillip Elliot and John Shaw Coddard. 

By his wife Mary Julia he had two daughters and a son. He died on 23 October 1910 and was buried at Fenton cemetery. 

Sources: Staffs. Sentinel 24 October 1910 (obit.).

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Initials used on ware for identification:

click below for more information:-

1956 Article on the Brain pottery.

The above information may not be available
for all potters - if you have information to
help complete the records then I would be
happy to include it.
email: Steve Birks

updated: 9 Feb 2003