Palissy Works, Chancery Lane, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent

Palissy Works, Chancery Lane, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent

Palissy Works

These works in Chancery Lane were erected in 1862 by Richard H. Grove For the purpose of decorating, not manufacturing, china ware. In 1867, he retired and was succeeded by his son, Frederick Wedgwood Grove, and his partner, John Stark. They commenced manufacturing their own ware having increased the premises For the purpose and erected the necessary kilns and machinery. They manufactured earthenware only. In this, all the usual dinner, dessert, toilet and other services and domestic articles were produced, of all degrees of decoration - from plain and printed to enamelled and gilt varieties. Spirit and wine show-barrels or casks were also specialities. Messrs. Grove & Stark continued to 1885. F. W. Grove continued to 1889, the firm subsequently becoming Grove & Oliver (1889-94), Grove & Prowse (1895-8), then Grove & Co. to about 1904."

'Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900' - first published 1878, revised 1883.

Richard H Grove & his son Frederick Wedgwood Grove had a number of
short lived partnerships at the Palissy Works....

From	To	Occupier	Comments
1862 (1853?)	1869	Richard H. Grove	Jewitt states that "These works in Chancery Lane were erected in 1862 by Richard H. Grove..." However the 1861 census records that Richard H Grove was "a China manufacturer employing 15 men, 16 women, 4 boys and 3 girls" so we do know that Grove was in business before 1862 and a back-stamp used by the later Palissy Pottery Ltd says "EST 1853"
1870	1871	Grove and Robinson	recorded in 1870 Harrod directory
1872	1884	Grove and Stark	Grove, Start & Co: Frederick Wedgwood Grove, and his partner, John Stark There was also a junior partner - Edward Pearson who retired from the business in March 1875.
1885	1889	F. W. Grove
1889	1894	Grove & Oliver
1895	1898	Grove & Prowse
1898	1904	Grove & Co.
1905	1929	A.E. Jones / A.E. Jones & Co
1929	1946	Albert E. Jones (Longton) Ltd
1946	1989	Palissy Pottery Ltd

NOTE: dates are drawn from a number of sources and may overlap or vary by a few years.

Bernard Palissy b.1509 d.1590

The works originally took their name from a Frenchman:

Bernard Palissy was a French Huguenot potter and writer, particularly associated with decorated rustic ware, a type of earthenware covered with coloured lead glazes.