T Morris

China Manufacturer at the Regent Works, Mount Pleasant, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England

The works were built in 1892 on the site of the Millfield Gate Brick Field.
By 1900 the partners were Arthur John Morris, William Lockett, Charles Frederick Goodfellow, Harry Warrilow, George Warrilow.
On 15th November 1900 the partnership was dissolved and the business continued, under the same style of "Thomas Morris" by Harry Davies, Samuel Morris and Arthur John Morris. Harry Davies was married to Annie Morris, the daughter of Thomas Morris.
Following the partnership arrangement in 1900, it is believed that Annie Davies (née Morris) gave control of the factory to her husband Harry when the rest of her siblings were bought out in 1904 (see below).
From around 1912 the company used the trade name 'Crown Chelsea China' and specialised in high quality, hand painted and guilded china.
It is probable that in 1918 that Herbert J Colclough (former Lord Mayor of Longton) took over the Regent Works and the business continued as Thomas Morris under his ownership.
In 1937 the business of Thomas Morris (along with H.J. Colclough and the Osborne China Co. Ltd.) became part of Colclough China Ltd.
The factories of H.J. Colclough (Vale Works) and Thomas Morris (Regent Works) continued to operate under the Colclough China name.
The 1947 Pottery Gazette reference book records the trade name 'Crown Chelsea China' as belonging to Colclough China Ltd.

Thomas Morris, Ltd., china manufacturers, Regent Works, Longton, are represented in London by Mr. Thomas Porter, of 34. Hatton-garden, E.C.

Mr. Porter is showing samples of the company’s principal shapes and patterns in their “ Regent china.” Tea ware is their chief speciality, though they make all descriptions of domestic china, including several patterns in china dinner ware. In these the decorations are well executed, including raised gold borders and other border patterns.

The collection of samples of tea ware is a large one, including many original shapes. The decorations are neat and varied, and festoons of flowers play an important part in them.

The company make a leading line of mazarine band underglaze and gilt. They do not offer this as a novelty, but they claim that they are able to offer customers an attractive, popular, and high-class decoration on reasonable terms.

notice of dissolution of partnership on 15th November 1900
- the business continued by Harry Davies, Samuel Morris and
Arthur John Morris

notice of dissolution of partnership between Samuel Morris,
Edith Latham (formerly Morris) and Annie Davies (formerly Morris)

it is believed that Annie Davies (née Morris) gave control of the factory
to her husband Harry when the rest of her siblings were bought out in 1904

Crown Chelsea China Cobalt Blue and Heavily Gilded Dinner Plates
- decorated with a French Style Pattern

From c.1912 onwards variations of the words ROYAL CROWN CHELSEA CHINA were introduced

Before c.1912 the trade name REGENT CHINA
was sometimes used - name after the Regent Works

TM
VENICE
MADE IN ENGLAND

Venice is the pattern name

c.1892+

TM
VENICE
MADE IN ENGLAND

NIOBE is the pattern name

c.1892+

a number of variations on the words ROYAL CROWN CHELSEA were used
all the the same concentric circles with a globe and crown on top
and the name MORRIS across the centre

NOTE: Other pottery companies used the name 'Royal Chelsea China' (but not with the name MORRIS or globe/crown mark)

Harry and Mary-Annie Davies outside their home in Lightwood, Longton
their children were John, Edithe and Dorothy

Harry Davies was married to Annie Morris, the daughter of Thomas Morris - Following the partnership arrangement in 1900, it is believed that Annie Davies (née Morris) gave control of the factory to her husband Harry when the rest of her siblings were bought out in 1904.

Annie and Harry separated and Harry died in 1929, so Annie managed the business herself until 1941.