By 1783 the Worcester Company was not in a good financial situation so its London agent, Thomas Flight (1726-1800), bought it, the company name becoming “Flight and sons”. It was still struggling and was nearly relocated to Wales, but the visit of King George III in 1788 was most successful, resulting in a Royal Warrant in 1789, and the company was revitalised. John Flight, Thomas’s son, had been a major driving force, but died at only 25 in 1791. A new partner was sought and in 1793 a local businessman, Martin Barr, joined, and the company became “Flight and Barr”. Martin Barr junior joined Martin Barr and Joseph Flight as a partner in 1804, the company becoming Barr, Flight and Barr. William Billingsley worked on improving porcelain paste at Worcester from 1808 to 1813. Finally on the death of Martin Barr the elder in 1813, his son George Barr joined his elder brother, becoming a partner, and the company became Flight, Barr and Barr to 1840, although Joseph Flight died in 1838.

Robert Chamberlain (1736 -1798), had possibly been the first apprentice decorator at the Worcester factory. He worked there for many years, as did his son. However, he left to set up his own decorating establishment in Diglis in 1786; painting glazed white wares from Caughley and Flight. In 1788 he started to make his own porcelain wares in a pottery at Diglis, and opened a shop in Worcester high street in 1789. The pottery advanced rapidly, receiving commissions for table services from the Royal Family. Robert died in 1798, but his very capable sons, Robert junior and Humphrey had taken over in 1796. In August 1802 Admiral Lord Nelson visited Worcester and was persuaded to tour the Chamberlains factory, which considerably boosted their image, particularly since he also ordered the 148-piece “Horatia” breakfast service. Additionally, a Royal Warrant was awarded in 1807. Humphrey’s two sons were involved in the business, and his second son Walter managed the company until 1851.

Nelson teapot by Webb - courtesy Worcester
Porcelain Museum

Chamberlain plate with jabberwocky
mythical bird decoration, 1830

During the Regency period (1811-20), the Empire style appeared in Britain from Napoleonic France and was copied at many factories including Worcester and Derby. Topographical designs were the vogue, running continuously round the vessel as a landscape.

By 1840 it appears that both Chamberlains and Flight, Barr and Barr had fallen on difficult times, so the two companies were forced to merge. Chamberlains were the dominant company at that time, so the main operation moved to Diglis. Chamberlains had diversified into lower priced ceramic bodies and glazes, and products such as toilet wares to compete with Staffordshire potters, the most successful product being encaustic “medieval” tiles, and these were transferred to Warmstry for manufacture.

Kerr Shakespeare cooler, 1853 - courtesy
Worcester Porcelain Museum

Chamberlain encaustic tile, 1845
- courtesy Worcester Porcelain Museum

The name of the company was now Chamberlain and Co. Unfortunately the quality of wares reduced markedly during the 1840’s, and in 1850 the two remaining partners, Walter Chamberlain and Frederick Lilly, invited a Chamberlain family relative, an Irishman called W H Kerr, to become a partner. When his two partners retired in 1851, Kerr invited R W Binns to join him, although the company was called W H Kerr and Company from 1851 to 1862. A notable dessert service called “Shakespeare” based on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” was designed by an important recruit, W B Kirk, who was not only a skilled designer but also a Shakespeare enthusiast. This design won acclaim at the Dublin Exhibition in 1853. Kirk designed many products including a Parian brooch with a profile of Wellington. The company also received significant orders from the Great Eastern Company for their “Vitrified Stone China”, a very strong ware made especially for hotels, shipping and domestic use.