DESIGN ARCHIVE: DENBY
Design Archive: Denby
Estd: 1809
Location: Denby, Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county with a long history of manufacturing stoneware pottery. Over 200 years ago, London, Nottingham and Derbyshire were the main centres producing both decorative salt glazed stoneware and functional vessels to hold everyday commodities.
Derbyshire’s potting heritage is closely associated with the geology of the county. Clay deposits are located in close proximity to coal measures and provided all but salt for the making of pottery. In 1806, during the construction of a turnpike road from Alfreton to Derby a seam of clay was uncovered at Denby.
The Bournes
William Bourne, a potter at nearby Belper Pottery, was summoned to examine the clay and immediately recognised its fine qualities. From a number of small buildings on the site of the clay bed, Denby Pottery was established in 1809 and William gave his youngest son, Joseph, the onerous task of running the pottery.
Joseph Bourne, 1820s, Sarah Elizabeth Bourne, 1869.
Although just a young man in his early 20’s, Joseph soon proved his father’s faith in him was justified. Known as ‘Joseph Bourne’ the pottery at Denby prospered and soon built up an international reputation for its quality bottles and jars. In the early 19th century, glass was still expensive and stoneware jars were essential to hold commodities such as preserves, pickles, ink, polish, ginger beer and mineral water etc.
Early bottles, c. 1800.
Joseph was not only ambitious with the commercial acumen to prosper but he was also an innovator and patented many of his ideas for improved firing methods in salt glazed kilns.
After Joseph’s death in 1860 his only son, Joseph Harvey Bourne, took over the running of the Pottery. Sadly, Joseph Harvey had little time to prove he was a worthy successor to his father as he died some 9 years afterwards. For the next 30 years the pottery was managed by Joseph Harvey’s widow, Sarah Elizabeth Bourne. Under her guidance the company continued to prosper and the product range widened to include decorated artware, extended ranges of kitchenware and the pottery became one of the main producers of telegraphic insulators.
Sarah Elizabeth and Joseph Harvey had no children to inherit the thriving business and on her death in 1898 control of the pottery passed to two nephews. Sarah’s own nephew withdrew from the business in 1907, leaving the third ‘Joseph’ - Joseph Bourne Wheeler as the sole proprietor. In 1916 the firm was formed into a limited liability company with Mr Bourne Wheeler as Governing Director – a post he held until his death in 1942.
Catalogue, 1900.
Times of Change
As glass became less expensive and a more popular method of holding fluids, stoneware bottles and jars were no longer required. Denby began to concentrate on kitchenwares and extended its range of artware. Pottery reflects the spirit of the age and sadly many other stoneware potteries in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire could not keep pace with these changes and closed as salt-glaze became outdated and unpopular. New kilns were installed at Denby and glazes were developed within a very short time which were compatible with the new methods of firing. At this time sculptor Donald Gilbert joined the company and took advantage of these new firing techniques creating kitchenware such as Cottage Blue and Manor Green. These ranges were to become classics and remain in production for the next 50 years. Gilbert was also responsible for diversifying into animal figurines, beloved by collectors of Denby.
The Byngo family, 1930s.
Second World War
Denby had begun its transformation into a producer of tableware, but the Second World War brought manufacturing restrictions and coloured glaze stains could not be obtained.
Along with industrial ware such as telegraphic insulators and battery jars, Denby produced only one range during the War years called ‘Utility Brown’ and catered for the thirst of our armed forces by producing NAAFI teapots and large bottles to hold sailors’ rum rations!
Applying handles, 1950s.
Market Leader
After the War Denby soon regained its stride and it use of striking colour, producing a series of best selling tableware patterns elevating Denby to the fore in ceramic design.
With new found freedom, in –house designer Glyn Colledge responded to the mood at the time creating highly decorated pieces under the name Glynware. Meanwhile his father created the highly successful ‘Greenwheat’.
Left: Tigo Ware black and white stripe, 1956. Right: Tigo Florence (in celebration of his wife's pregnancy).
In the 1950’s, Denby recruited the best designers of time such as Kenneth Clarke, creator of the Classic giftware and Gill Pemberton who followed in the 1960's created the iconic ‘Chevron’ and ‘Arabesque’.
In the 1970’s Denby spearheaded a new concept in tableware called ‘oven-to-tableware’ with ranges such as Arabesque epitomising the term. The combination of good designs in tableware, cookware, and serveware combined with the inherent durability of Denby eliminated the need to transfer food from ‘cooking pots’ to ornate tableware dishes.
Arabesque, 1970s.
Ownership Changes
A family business until 1942, more recently Denby has been through several changes of ownership from a private company, flotation in 1970 and is now currently owned by Private Equity Company Valco Capital Partners.
Denby Today
Over the last decade substantial investment has been made at Denby and, sitting alongside traditional potting skills, Denby has the latest ceramic technology. Today, with a turnover of around £38 million, Denby produces a broad range of tableware which is as stylish and durable as it's founder intended. Denby has also sustained its ability to design and produce contemporary products to keep pace with ever changing lifestyles both for the UK and overseas markets. Recent additions to the Denby family have been the British heritage brands of Burleigh Pottery, Leeds Pottery and Poole Pottery. 2009 was the company’s Bicentenary year and the company is immensely proud of its heritage and reputation for products of quality which have been built up over generations. Denby looks forward to a future as diverse and exciting as its past.
Many thanks go to Linda Salt - Company PA and Public Relations, Thomas Allen - Designer and Nicola Bate - Senior Designer at Denby. Also thanks to Denby's Marketing Department for allowing Obsessionistas unique access to the company's historical archive material.
Visit the Denby website here.
All images © Denby and published with their with kind permission.
Further detailed history on Denby Pottery and its products can be found in:
Denby Stonewares: A Collector's Guide
Authors: Graham & Alva Key
Publisher: Ems and Ens Ltd
ISBN 1-874558-03-5
Authors: Irene & Gordon Hopwood
Publisher: Richard Dennis
ISBN 0-903685-52-3