Minton (British, founded 1793)

Minton's Ltd. was a major British ceramics manufacturing company. The origins of the firm lie with Thomas Minton (1765-1836), who established his pottery factory in Stoke-upon-Trent in 1793, producing earthenware. In 1796 Minton formed a partnership with Joseph Poulson, who manufactured bone china. When Poulson died in 1808, Minton continued the business alone, producing works of both earthenware and china.

When Thomas Minton died, the firm was taken over by his son Herbert (1793-1858). Herbert Minton was responsible for developing new techniques of production, thereby expanding the business. In 1845 Herbert entered into partnership with Michael Hollins, forming the firm of Minton, Hollins & Company. The business exhibited widely at international trade exhibitions, winning a reputation for excellence and gaining many important commissions.

Herbert’s nephew, Colin Minton Campbell, took over the company after his uncle’s death. Colin Minton Campbell was a dynamic and ambitious individual, who was responsible for taking the company into a successful exploration of Chinese cloisonné enamels, Japanese lacquer and Turkish pottery.

From the mid-1880s, Minton ceramics made huge contribution to the Art Nouveau style. The firm became particularly famous for its production of fine slip-trailed majolica ware, which found immense popularity with a European audience.