Shaws of Darwen
Encyclopedia
Shaws of Darwen was the common trading name of a manufacturer of fire clay
sinks and general terracotta products. Founded by Arthur Gerard Shaw in 1897, he began manufacturing the rich clay deposits found at his father’s coal mines in Lancashire
, UK
The company flourished until the outbreak of World War II
in 1914. In order to survive through the war acid ware and ceramic conductors were manufactured for the government. During this time Arthur Gerald patented the system of burning clayware by gas.
In 1919 The Shaws Gas Kiln Company formed, making and installing kilns in Great Britain, Europe and America.
Apart from creating the standard belfast sink Shaws also are involved in architectural terracotta
- having created the Hackney Empire
sign and working on the exterior terracotta structure of buildings such as harrods
in the UK and The Wrigley Building in Chicago
USA.
Fire clay
Fire clay is a term applied to a range of refractory clays used in the manufacture of ceramics, especially fire brick.High grade fire clays can withstand temperatures of 1775°C , but to be referred to as a "fire clay" the material must withstand a minimum temperature of 1515°C...
sinks and general terracotta products. Founded by Arthur Gerard Shaw in 1897, he began manufacturing the rich clay deposits found at his father’s coal mines in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, UK
The company flourished until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1914. In order to survive through the war acid ware and ceramic conductors were manufactured for the government. During this time Arthur Gerald patented the system of burning clayware by gas.
Apart from creating the standard belfast sink Shaws also are involved in architectural terracotta
Architectural terracotta
Terracotta, in its unglazed form, became fashionable as an architectural ceramic construction material in England in the 1860s, and in the United States in the 1870s. It was generally used to supplement brick and tiles of similar colour in late Victorian buildings.It had been used before this in...
- having created the Hackney Empire
Hackney Empire
The Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street, in the London Borough of Hackney, built in 1901 as a music hall.-History:Hackney Empire is a grade II* listed building...
sign and working on the exterior terracotta structure of buildings such as harrods
Harrods
Harrods is an upmarket department store located in Brompton Road in Brompton, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. The Harrods brand also applies to other enterprises undertaken by the Harrods group of companies including Harrods Bank, Harrods Estates, Harrods Aviation and Air...
in the UK and The Wrigley Building in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
USA.
Examples
- Coliseum TheatreColiseum TheatreThe London Coliseum is an opera house and major performing venue on St. Martin's Lane, central London. It is one of London's largest and best equipped theatres and opened in 1904, designed by theatrical architect Frank Matcham , for impresario Oswald Stoll...
, London - Hackney EmpireHackney EmpireThe Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street, in the London Borough of Hackney, built in 1901 as a music hall.-History:Hackney Empire is a grade II* listed building...
, London - HarrodsHarrodsHarrods is an upmarket department store located in Brompton Road in Brompton, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. The Harrods brand also applies to other enterprises undertaken by the Harrods group of companies including Harrods Bank, Harrods Estates, Harrods Aviation and Air...
, London - Wrigley BuildingWrigley BuildingThe Wrigley Building is a skyscraper located directly across Michigan Avenue from the Tribune Tower on the Magnificent Mile...
, Chicago