Mintons

Minton, or Mintons, as it became known in 1873, was founded by Thomas Minton of Stoke-on-Trent in 1793.

The factory was originally known for earthenwares, but a partnership with Joseph Poulson in 1796 saw an expansion into bone china.

Thomas Minton died in 1836 and was succeeded by his son Herbert. Herbert Minton was responsible for the merger with Michael Hollins in 1845 that formed Minton, Hollins & Company, famous for their encaustic tiles.

In 1849 Mintons employed French designer and ceramicist Léon Arnoux who, inspired by 16th-century Palissy, developed the tin glaze used on the famous Majolica wares. Majolica remained in fashion until the 1890s and this helped increase profitability for the company for many years.

The start of the 20th century brought with it the production of the popular ‘Secessionist Ware’, with designs by Leon Solon and John Wadsworth inspired by the Vienna Secessionist art movement.

The downturn in trade at the end of the Second World War caused problems for the whole Staffordshire pottery industry and despite a period of modernisation by then Managing Director J. E. Hartill, the company had to merge with Royal Doulton in 1968. The brand remained a subsidiary of Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd until the 1980s.