• The partners were James Deakin (father) and John Deakin (son). 

• In January 1836 John Deakin married Mary the daughter of J. Robinson of Chetham & Robinson. (James Deakin was a partner in this business). 

• 1837 Deakin & Son advertised for sale their china, earthenware and lustre works in Greendock, Lane End

• James & John became partners in the firm Deakin & Procter.

• In 1846 John Deakin died, age 46, leaving James as the remaining partner. 

• James had an interest in the Bentilee and Mossfield Collieries in Stoke-on-Trent.

• Edwin Deakin (likely James son) joined the business.

• In 1859 two manufactories, in Stafford Street, which were held by Deakin & Son were advertised for let and an auction of fixtures and utensils held. It may be that the business was moved to other premises.

• April 1863 James Deakin Snr and Edwin Deakin were declared as bankrupt. 

• Edwin Deakin's bankruptcy was discharged in December 1863.    

Messrs. Deakin and Son's Earthenware Factory, Longton

  No. 317 William Cotton, aged 9

  I am a figure maker; have been employed six months; I can read and write; went to day-school four years; I go to Sunday-school at St.John's National school; I come to work at six and go home at six; I go home to breakfast and dinner, and allowed half an hour and an hour; I get coffee, and bread and butter; and potatoes and beef for dinner; I work with Wiliam Tell, he is very good to me; never beats me; I can complete three and a half dozen pieces in the hour, and earn 2s. a week; if I do more, then it is extra work, and I get much more pay; I give my money to mother, I have no father.  

Bentilee Colliery Company 
notice that Richard Ray and Thomas Wynne resigned from 
the business which was then carried on by John Goodwin, 
John Hawley,  Sampson Bridgwood, Joseph Tideswell, 
William Batkin, James Deakin and James Wardle 

Mossfields Colliery Company 
notice that Richard Ray, Thomas Wynne, William Batkin, 
James Deakin and James Wardle resigned from the business 
which was then carried on by John Goodwin, John Hawley and 
Sampson Bridgwood

There are at least five scenes in the Spanish Beauties series - all are typical romantic and decorative views with figures in garden or pastoral settings, sometimes musical instruments are being played. All involve a garden in the foreground with columns & urn, a distant view of mountains & exotic buildings behind. Some of the structural element are repeated in differing locations in the various patterns.

The border is quite distinctive with four repeating panels of a castle in a landscape within complex ground of scrolling borders, flower heads & festoons, fan-shapes, and basket weave. 

None of the ware carries a makers name but the identical crown/lion mark appears on an ORTOLAN pattern with the makers name Deakin & Son. 

A couple of examples are known that are clearly from the Spanish Beauties services but they are marked with the pre-1837 British Royal Arms above the words ROYAL MANUFACTORY. 

Spanish Beauties

There is no makers name but the same mark appears on an ORTOLAN pattern with the makers name Deakin & Son

This examples is clearly from the Spanish Beauties services but does not have the normal lion/crown mark - it is marked with the pre-1837 British Royal Arms above the words ROYAL MANUFACTORY. 

It is assumed that the manufacturer is Deakin & Son, but this is not proven. 

Bowl with scalloped edge, a printed Chinoiserie style pattern with an urn on a pedestal offset to the right. Hand coloured flowers in typical greens, blue  and burnt orange. 

the pattern name 'NONPAREIL' means having 
no match or equal; unrivalled.

DEAKIN
[]PEARL

impressed 

NONPAREIL
D & S

printed

printed mark with a crown 
over a demi-lion crest

printed blue and white scene in the Normandy pattern

A typical romantic view, a grand architectural building dominates the background, with multiple domes and towers. 

In the foreground, two figures are depicted in a garden setting, one standing and one seated.

A fountain structure to the left, and urn to the right with lush trees and foliage framing the centre arched trellis. 

An intricate border design composed of stylised floral motifs, leaves, and scrolling patterns in a repeating arrangement.

printed

DEAKIN
[]PEARL

impressed 

The line below the DEAKIN name has a small space filler before PEARL. 

PEARL was a fairly common trade name for the pottery body. 

Deakin & Son 

'ORTOLAN' is the pattern name 

Mark with a crown and a demi-lion crest - this mark appears on the Spanish Beauties
pattern but without a makers name. 

The same mark on the ORTOLAN pattern with the makers name helps identify the Spanish Beauties pattern as Deakin & Son