Wiltshaw and Robinson Ltd., Carlton Works. Stoke-on-Trent

NOTE: This article which follows originally appeared in a 1956 book 'British Potters and Pottery Today', is based mainly upon accounts provided mainly by the firms themselves.

 The considerable 'to do' of recent times about the evils of 'smog' must leave the Directors of this firm with a sense of virtuous complacency, for they claim, doubtless with good reason, to be one of the most up-to-date concerns in the Potteries, equipped as they are with all-electric continuous tunnel firing ovens and other efficient devices. It is their claim, moreover, that many of their 350 operatives have, like their Governing Director Cuthbert Wiltshaw, been in the Company all their lives and take an immense pride in their varied skills of craftsmanship.

Carlton Ware – by which name their wares are known – has been in production for over half a century and the continual expansion of output is equalled by the steady improvement in quality. In their own words 'Carlton Ware is essentially a quality product. It is always made "up to standard", not "down to a price".'

Speaking roughly two classes of pottery are made. There are its highly decorated coffee set and vases, which are perhaps best known, with gold and raised enamel decoration in lustre of various colours. The other type is decorative table ware characterised by having floral patterns of embossed shapes, under-glaze. Many of these take the form of leaves or flowers and have found aready market.

Both at home and in the overseas markets Carlton wares have earned for their manufacturers well deserved approbation, especially perhaps the lovely decorative vases for which they are famed.

NOTE: This article which originally appeared in a 1956 book 'British Potters and Pottery Today', is based mainly upon accounts provided mainly by the firms themselves.

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