Thomas Whieldon
Encyclopedia
Thomas Whieldon was one of the most respected and well known English
potters
of his time. By 1740, he was the master of pottery at Fenton Low. His talent and renown picked up gradually and by 1748 he was known to have only taken in nineteen employees, one of whom was Josiah Spode
.
Spode was talented and followed the footsteps of Whieldon, but he decided to leave when Whieldon had taken Josiah Wedgwood
as a close business partner. In about 1780, Whieldon decided to retire, but because of his experience and talent in the art he did, he started and helped boost the careers of Wedgwood and other famous potters. Whieldon was known for making the Tortoiseshell Ware. He produced this product by applying the copper
and manganese
compounds
to a cream-coloured earthenware
in order to stain it. Almost immediately after staining the piece would be coated with a clear glaze so as to maintain its solid texture.
In 1786 he was appointed High Sheriff of Staffordshire
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
potters
Pottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
of his time. By 1740, he was the master of pottery at Fenton Low. His talent and renown picked up gradually and by 1748 he was known to have only taken in nineteen employees, one of whom was Josiah Spode
Josiah Spode
Josiah Spode was an English potter and the founder of the English Spode pottery works which became very famous for the quality of its wares. He is often credited with the establishment of blue underglaze transfer printing in Staffordshire in 1781–84, and with the definition and introduction in c...
.
Spode was talented and followed the footsteps of Whieldon, but he decided to leave when Whieldon had taken Josiah Wedgwood
Josiah Wedgwood
Josiah Wedgwood was an English potter, founder of the Wedgwood company, credited with the industrialization of the manufacture of pottery. A prominent abolitionist, Wedgwood is remembered for his "Am I Not A Man And A Brother?" anti-slavery medallion. He was a member of the Darwin–Wedgwood family...
as a close business partner. In about 1780, Whieldon decided to retire, but because of his experience and talent in the art he did, he started and helped boost the careers of Wedgwood and other famous potters. Whieldon was known for making the Tortoiseshell Ware. He produced this product by applying the copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
and manganese
Manganese
Manganese is a chemical element, designated by the symbol Mn. It has the atomic number 25. It is found as a free element in nature , and in many minerals...
compounds
Chemical compound
A chemical compound is a pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. Chemical compounds have a unique and defined chemical structure; they consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together...
to a cream-coloured earthenware
Earthenware
Earthenware is a common ceramic material, which is used extensively for pottery tableware and decorative objects.-Types of earthenware:Although body formulations vary between countries and even between individual makers, a generic composition is 25% ball clay, 28% kaolin, 32% quartz, and 15%...
in order to stain it. Almost immediately after staining the piece would be coated with a clear glaze so as to maintain its solid texture.
In 1786 he was appointed High Sheriff of Staffordshire
High Sheriff of Staffordshire
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of Staffordshire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred...