Beswick Pottery

Lore & Background

Based at the Gold Street works in Longton, Beswick originally produced tablewares and ornaments such as Staffordshire cats and dogs. After James Wright Beswick died in 1921, the company expanded under his grandson, John Ewart Beswick. In 1934, the introduction of high fired bone china allowed production of high-quality figurines, including famous race horses and champion dogs. The company became a limited company, John Beswick Ltd, in 1936.

In 1939, Arthur Gredington was appointed chief modeller, and the company began producing farm animal figurines. Gredington's range of 190 Rearing Horsemen became one of the largest ever produced by the company. Under decorating manager Jim Hayward, there was a shift towards lifelike animal pieces, including cats, dogs, farm animals, fish and wild animals. Continued expansion enabled the acquisition of the adjoining factory in 1945 to accommodate offices, warehousing and new potting and firing facilities.

Potter and Disney production

In 1947, Lucy Beswick suggested bringing to life the illustrations in the Beatrix Potter books. In 1948, John Beswick secured the right to reproduce a range of 10 Beatrix Potter earthenware characters, the first of which was Jemima Puddle-Duck, modelled by Arthur Gredington. In 1952, Beswick began manufacturing a range of Disney characters, including Snow White, Mickey Mouse and Bambi. After the 1969 sale to Doulton & Co. Ltd (Royal Doulton), animal figures continued to be produced, but by 1989 the Beswick backstamp was dropped in favour of the Royal Doulton Royal Albert DA backstamp.

Transfer to Royal Doulton

The popularity of the Beatrix Potter characters led to re-introduction of the range in 1998 for the collectors market. By the end of 2002, Royal Doulton ceased production of all Beswick products, and in 2003 the Gold Street works were sold off to property developers. In 2004, the Beswick name and product design rights were sold to Dartington Crystal, which continues to produce animal figurines, vases and giftware under the John Beswick name.

Reader's Guide

Beswick Pottery's significance lies in its transition from a traditional Staffordshire pottery to a producer of highly collectable licensed figurines. The company's early work in tablewares and ornaments gave way to a focus on lifelike animal pieces under modeller Arthur Gredington and decorating manager Jim Hayward. The 1948 licensing of Beatrix Potter characters, suggested by Lucy Beswick, proved pivotal, creating a line of earthenware figurines that became a cornerstone of the collectables market. The subsequent 1952 Disney range further expanded its reach.

After the 1969 acquisition by Doulton & Co. Ltd, the Beswick brand continued under Royal Doulton until production ceased in 2002. The brand's legacy endures through its highly sought figurines, particularly the Beatrix Potter and animal ranges, which remain popular among collectors. The sale of the brand to Dartington Crystal in 2004 ensured the continuation of the John Beswick name, with new figurines such as The Snowman and the Snowdog still being produced. The company's history reflects the broader trends in 20th-century pottery manufacturing, from utilitarian wares to niche collectables, and its products are documented in reference works such as those by Diana and John Callows.