TG Green Pottery, Derbyshire

History

T.G. Green was founded by Thomas Goodwin Green back in 1864. Rumour has it that he bought up an existing pottery factory while he was on his honeymoon with his new wife, Mary Tenniel, the sister of Punch and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland illustrator Sir John Tenniel.

One of the companies most popular lines has always been Cornishware which was first produced in 1924. It was created using a nifty lathe-turning technique that scraped blue slip away from its beautiful ceramics to reveal white bands of clay beneath. Those stripes reminded an employee of the blue skies and white-crested waves of Cornwall, which is how Cornishware got its name.

The appearance of those familiar blue and white stripes in children’s books, adverts, fashion magazines, collector’s websites and homes all over the world is testament to Cornishware’s timeless design and enduring popularity. From plates to cups to storage jars, Cornishware was such a roaring success that it soon became a household name, adorning dinner tables up and down the country.

In the 1960s, Cornishware’s look was updated by talented young designer, Judith Onions, and the restyled range was embraced as warmly as the originals. Over the past 20 years Onions’ designs, as well as the older ranges, have become highly prized by collectors, commanding ever-increasing prices.

Sadly, the story didn’t go as well for T.G.Green. As time went on, it became increasingly difficult for the Victorian pottery workshop to compete with modern industry, and after a series of owners tried their best, it closed in 2007.

Luckily, T.G.Green and Cornishware had fans in all the right places. Lifelong enthusiasts, Charles Rickards and Paul Burston teamed up with designer and brand consultant, Perry Haydn Taylor to come to the rescue. Thanks to their expertise, those wonderful stripes have been restored to their rightful position.

Source:
https://www.cornishware.co.uk/about-us/

Esoteric Eric