The Middleport Pottery of Burgess and Leigh (opened 1888)  

A cast plate before firing

 

Location 10 on the index diagram

 

Flatware such as plates which are smooth can be produced semi-automatically on a 'jigger' but a plate with relief on it such as the one below needs to be cast.

The water has been absorbed by the plaster mould, the mould opened and the clay plate is removed. This plate is soft and easily damaged, ware at this stage is called 'green'. The ware now needs to be dried and then fired to produce biscuit ware.

 

Cast plate with relief pattern

Previous is casting shop
Next is ware drying out in the shop

questions/comments/contributions? email: Steve Birks