• The business was established around 1940 (PGRB, 1956) by husband and wife Mr. Noel Thorley and Mrs. A. M. J. Thorley. Originally based in a disused chapel in Kendrick Street, Longton (source: Nigel Thorley) 

• The business was incorporated in February 1946. 

• In 1951 the location was given as 'King Street Fenton' and the officers were listed as: Managing Director - Noel Thorley, Art Director - Geoffrey Sherratt. (PGRB, 1951). 

• Around 1954 they moved to the Wellington Works, Longton. They had agents in London, Australia and Canada. (PGRB, 1956).

• By the early 1960s the business had moved to Thorley House, Glebedale Road, Fenton. Ware produced there included bone china animals, figurines and also lamp bases, later also Constance Fry bone china flower heads.

• In February 1982 the business was removed from the register of listed companies. (London Gazette)

PGRB = Pottery Gazette Reference Book & Directory

Contributions from: Nigel Thorley (son of the founders) 

Thorley China originally produce a range of small, crudely made and decorated, Toby jugs. These were advertised as 'hand made, hand painted'.

A variety of hand painted and printed marks were used. 

A wide range of floral fancies were produced.  A variety of printed marks were used.