In 1750, the doors
of the Chelsea Works factory opened.
The
factory brought industry to the small town of Derby and helped the
town prosper. As the company’s figurines and dinnerware became
popular throughout Europe, the Chelsea Works began attracting some
of the most skilled artists of the day.
Figure
painting was done by Richard Askew
and James Banford.
Zachariah
Boreman and John Brewer
were hired to paint landscapes, still-lifes, and pastorals.
Intricate
floral patterns were designed and painted by William
Billingsley and William
Pegg and under the remarkable guidance of this design
team, the company established its reputation for excellence in design,
quality, and craftsmanship.
 In
1770, William Duesbury fully acquired the famous Chelsea Works factory
from his partner
and he continued to work to grow his small porcelain business.
In
1775, Duesbury’s hard work was rewarded by
King George III. The King bestowed upon Duesbury the rare honor
of being allowed to incorporate His Majesty’s crown into the
Derby backstamp. The company then became known as Crown Derby.
In
1786, William Duesbury died
and the company was passed to his son, William Duesbury II. as he
was educated and raised close to the porcelain business, William
made an excellent leader. He set to work developing a number of
new glazes and body types.
Unfortunately,
William Duesbury II died in 1797 at the young age of 34.
The
company was then passed to Michael Kean, and the reputation of the
Derby company began to decline and many important artists left the
Derby factory in search of other opportunities.
|
Opened
sometime before 1750, with the exact date of the company's founding
not known. The story begins with an entrepreneur named Andrew Planche,
who migrated from France to England to escape the religious suppression
of the Huguenots during the early 1700’s. 
Bloor
had a reputation as a shrewd businessman. He was recognized as an
art lover with an appreciation for works that were richly coloured
and elegantly styled and under his leadership the company began
designing brightly coloured Japanese imari patterns. 
