Ruskin Pottery

The Ruskin Pottery was established in Smethwick, near Birmingham, in 1898 by William Howson Taylor. It took its name from the writer John Ruskin, and followed many of the Arts and Crafts ideals and philosophies.

It quickly established a distinctive style and reputation for hand thrown and turned pots, combined with unusual glaze effects. It produced a wide variety of lustre glazes, from bright lemon through to deep orange, frequently with painted decoration.

Taylor's high fired glazes won the pottery international acclaim and prizes at exhibitions all over the world. Inspired by Chinese glazing techniques, the glazes ranged over a wide colour palette, from creamy beige to rich tones of burgundy and green. Many were mottled, flecked with shaded effects; others were matt or crystalline. The range and combination of glazes was astonishing, ensuring that each piece of Ruskin Pottery was unique.

William Howson Taylor supervised the pottery's work, and guarded closely the secrets of his glazes. Shortly before his death in 1935 the pottery ceased, and Taylor destroyed all the notes and materials relating to his glaze recipes.