Minton
Founded by Thomas Minton who established his pottery factory in Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England, in 1793 at this time producing earthenware mainly domestic tableware in blue transfer printed or painted earthenware, including the ever-popular Willow pattern. In 1796 he went into patnership with Joseph Poulson a maker of bone china.
Joseph Poulson died in 1808 leaving Minton to carry on alone.
Thomas Minton died in 1836 and the business was carried on by his son Herbert Minton who took the business into tile making through his association with leading architects and designers including Augustus Pugin.
In 1845 minton went into partnership with Michael Hollins forming the tile making company Minton, Hollins & Company .
In 1849 Minton took on a French ceramic artist Léon Arnoux who stayed with Minton until 1892 as art director. the company became one of England's leading ceramic manufacturers, creating masterpieces in a wide range of popul