View Denby Dinnerware range
Production of salt glazed pottery began at Denby 200 years ago in 1809. A seam of clay was discovered during the construction of a road. William Bourne, a local entrepreneur examined the clay and recognised its exceptional qualities. Three years later production of Denby Pottery began.
William gave the onerous task of running the business to his youngest son Joseph the pottery prospered and soon built up an international reputation for its quality bottles and jars. Salt glazing was a popular method of decorating stoneware at this time. Common salt was thrown onto the kiln fires when the embers were at the hottest. The salt vapour combined with the surface of the pot to produce a shiny brown surface coating.
By the 1920's Denby's functional kitchenware (pie dishes, jelly moulds, colanders and 'hot water bottles') could be found in many homes along with decorative vases, bowls and tobacco jars which were all stamped 'Danesby Ware'. This was the generic name given by Denby Pottery to all its decorative and giftware ranges.
Radical steps to change Denby's product range were taken in the 1950's when the pottery became predominantly a producer of tableware with ranges that by this time included cups, saucers and plates. Denby continued to employ the best designers to ensure the transition was successful and this expertise produced such best sellers as Echo and Ode (1950's), Greenwheat (1956), Studio (1961) and Arabesque - Samarkand in the USA (1964).
The 1970's brought a revolution in oven-to-tableware and Denby's striking designs and practicality removed the need for separate cooking dishes and more decorative plates for serving. Denby could withstand oven temperatures and patterns such as Gypsy and Troubadour (1971, Cotswold (1973) and Romany all graced the 1970's table with flair. By the 1980's casual dining became more popular and ranges such as Imperial Blue and Regency Green were able to fit into both formal entertaining and family gatherings.
Denby continues to build on this proud heritage with contemporary ranges such as Jet, Azure and Caramel that reflect today’s informal style. They owe much of their present success to the skills of earlier generations of craftsmen. Most importantly, Denby has not lost sight of the reasons for its popularity as generations have grown to expect leading designs combined with a tradition of quality and durability.
