Denby Tableware Celebrates 200 Years
The pottery and crockery manufacturer Denby celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.
Denby pottery is celebrating its 200th anniversary, a huge and impressive milestone in this age when many huge and established manufacturers are collapsing. The Denby tableware range in that time has become one of the most loved brands of fine crockery.
All Denby tableware products have been lovingly crafted for eating, serving and cooking food with.
All Denby tableware is suitable for the microwave, freezer and dishwasher. It is claimed that all Denby pottery passes through 25 hands before reaching the customers and its ‘harder than steel’ range of over 5000 glazes means it is built to last.
Roger Panter of Panters, a stockist of Denby tableware and Denby crockery states: “Many of Denby’s famous ranges like Denby Regency Green have found their way into the homes of millions of people. Purchasers of Denby tableware love the timeless styling and quality of the workmanship.”
Denby china production began in 1806, when clay was found in the town of Denby during the building of a road linking the towns in industrial Derbyshire. A certain William Bourne, a clever local businessman recognised the qualities and potential of the material.
Actual Denby pottery production began in 1809 and the Bourne family prospered and very soon enjoyed an international reputation for its quality bottles and jars. These bottles held anything from ink, polish and medicines to preserves and even ginger beer. Salt glazing was a popular method of decorating stoneware at this time. Common salt was thrown onto the kiln fires when the embers were at their hottest. The salt vapour combined with the surface of the pot to produce a shiny brown surface coating.
In the later 19th century the manufacture of glass bottles became much less expensive and replaced ceramic bottles. Denby Pottery reacted by diversifying its range of kitchenware and developed richly coloured glazes which were to become Denby’s trade mark.
Much of Denby’s modern era success is owed to the considerable skill of craftsmen that first honed their craft 200 years ago. Denby is looking good for another 200 years.