English Queensware and its impact on the French pottery industry 1774-1814

Smith, Helen A S

Abstract

Creamware in the 1760s was a marketing success in English domestic markets. It rapidly crossed class barriers as mass production lowered prices and widened consumer markets. In the late 1760s Queensware dominated markets and was copied cheaply in factories all over England. This would later be known as Wedgwood ware in France even if the provenance was not from Wedgwood’s factory.

Soon manufacturers sought new outlets for their surplus goods. American markets were shrinking as Anglo-American relationships deteriorated. Home markets were sated. France was targeted among other European marketing drives. The French Government responded by banning English manufactured goods in France in 1770. English Queensware technology was transferred to France. French Queensware was supposed to supplant English Queensware in France. English smuggled goods continued to be a serious and chronic issue for the French.

English entrepreneurs began manufacturing English Queensware in France in the 1770s. Problems were encountered with the wood-fired kiln technology that prevailed in France at this time. Coal-fired Queensware manufactories were established but with little success. Wood supplies were steadily dwindling.

The American War of Independence intervened as did the Treaty of Commerce of 1786-7. The French Revolution also brought many changes but the manufacture of Queensware continued to survive and even prosper under English entrepreneurs who developed it to a high standard.

The process of transfer printing brought improvements in production to the Queensware industry in France as it had done in England. English manufacturers in France gained government acclaim and national accolades for their efforts. Patents were taken out for English processes including the technique of mocha decoration. French Queensware moved the French pottery industry from a cottage-industry configuration into the early stages of mass production to meet the demands of a growing consumer market.

296 words.
The main body of the thesis contains 92 256 words.
The main body with endnotes contains 115 207 words.

Citation

Smith, H. A. S. (2002). English Queensware and its impact on the French pottery industry 1774-1814. (Thesis). Keele University. Retrieved from https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/874808

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jul 11, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 15, 2024
• Keywords: Department of History
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/874808
• Award Date: 2002