Aller Vale Pottery
Wall plaque marking the location of the pottery
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| Operated | 1865-1924 |
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| Coordinates | 50°30′29.25″N 3°34′58.81″W / 50.5081250°N 3.5830028°WCoordinates: 50°30′29.25″N 3°34′58.81″W / 50.5081250°N 3.5830028°W |
| Products | Pottery |
| Address | Aller Vale Buildings, Kingskerswell, Devon, England |
The Aller Vale Pottery was formed in 1865 on the northern edge of the village of Kingskerswell in South Devon, England on the likely site of a medieval pottery. It became well known for the creation of art pottery at the end of the 19th century and gained Royal patronage, but declined thereafter, closing on this site in about 1924. The name continued in use until 1962 related to the production of mass-produced motto ware for the tourist market.
There had probably been a pottery on the site in medieval times, as evidenced by the excavation of medieval tiles there. The pottery was founded in 1865 in the hamlet of Aller between the village of Kingskerswell and the town of Newton Abbot and had originally produced simple kitchenware. In 1868 it was taken over by John Phillips (born 1835 in Shaugh Prior), a clay merchant who lived in Newton Abbot. Phillips changed the focus of the company to make builders' earthenware—drainpipes, roof tiles, chimney pots and the like. The company was listed in an 1870 directory as "Phillips, John & Co., manufacturers of architectural pottery and firebricks".
Phillips was influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement and the ideals of William Morris, leading him to set up cottage classes in Kingskerswell and the nearby villages of Abbotskerswell and Coffinswell to teach useful skills to the uneducated young. Up to 64 young people between the ages of 11 and 23 attended these twice-weekly classes where they learned pottery, wood and stone carving, painting, stitching, embroidery, and ironwork which was taught by the local blacksmith.
Under Phillips's control the works started producing art pottery in 1881 after it was rebuilt following a fire. At this time it was renamed as the Aller Vale Art Pottery. In 1886 the pottery was visited by Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, after she had bought some of its wares. This was the start of a long period of patronage and led to the pottery being renamed as the Royal Aller Vale Pottery. Other members of the Royal family also became customers, including Princess Alexandra. Between 1887 and 1901 Aller Vale Art Pottery was stocked by Liberty & Co in London.
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Wikipedia