Mintons china is a type of fine china, porcelain, and luxury accessories that was produced by the Mintons factory in England. The Mintons period dated from 1793, when Thomas Minton founded the factory in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. He was a master potter, engraver, and designer, who produced high-quality and innovative ceramic wares, such as tableware, vases, figurines, and tiles. In this blog post, I will give you a brief overview of the history of Mintons china, from its invention to its innovation.
The Invention of Mintons China
Thomas Minton was born in 1765 in Shropshire, England, into a family of potters. He started his career as an engraver for transfer printing with Thomas Turner, one of the leading potters of the time, where he learned and experimented with various types of clay, glazes, and colors. In 1793, he decided to start his own pottery business in Stoke-on-Trent, where he rented a small factory. He soon established himself as a skilled and innovative potter, producing high-quality and diverse wares, such as creamware, pearlware, stoneware, and porcelain1
Thomas Minton is credited with the invention of two extremely important techniques that were crucial to the worldwide success of the English pottery industry in the century to follow. The first technique was the bone china, which he developed around 1798. Bone china was a type of hard-paste porcelain that was made from kaolin clay and bone ash, and fired at high temperatures. It was white, translucent, and durable, and became the standard for English porcelain. The second technique was the underglaze blue printing, which he perfected in 1796. Underglaze blue printing was a technique that allowed for the transfer of intricate designs from engraved copper plates to the porcelain surface, before glazing and firing. It was inspired by the Chinese and Japanese porcelain, and produced some of the most popular patterns, such as the Willow Pattern and the Brocade Pattern2
The Innovation of Mintons China
Thomas Minton died in 1836, and was succeeded by his son, Herbert Minton, who ran the factory until his death in 1858. He expanded and improved the factory, and hired talented artists and designers, such as John Flaxman, William Morris, and Christopher Dresser, who created original and artistic decorations for the china. He also diversified the product range, offering not only tableware, but also ornamental and sculptural pieces, such as vases, figurines, and clocks. He also exported the china to various countries, such as France, Germany, Russia, and the United States3
Herbert Minton was also a pioneer of the ceramic tile industry, producing high-quality and innovative tiles for both domestic and architectural use. He developed new techniques, such as the encaustic tile, the dust-pressed tile, and the majolica tile, which allowed for more variety and durability of the tiles. He also collaborated with famous architects and engineers, such as Charles Barry, Augustus Pugin, and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who used his tiles for some of the most iconic buildings of the Victorian era, such as the Houses of Parliament, the Crystal Palace, and the Royal Albert Hall4
The Conclusion
Mintons china is a remarkable example of artistic achievement and innovation, which spans over a century and a half and reflects the history and culture of England and Europe. It is admired and valued by collectors and connoisseurs all over the world, who appreciate its beauty, quality, and diversity. It is also a living and evolving art form, which continues to produce new and original works, thanks to the talent and creativity of its artists and craftsmen. Mintons china is a master of ceramic art, which has become a national treasure and a universal delight.