Independent china painters in 18~(th) century London

摘要

In conclusion, what can we say about the London china painting industry? First, the industry operated throughout the 18~(th) century. It was well established before its more famous names William Brown, Thomas Hughes and James Giles appeared in the second half of the century. Secondly, it was very much an industry and not just a collection of individuals. The use of apprenticeships and the prevalence of connected family enterprises ensured a sense of continuity and tradition. Thirdly, notwithstanding the traditions, it was also a robust and adaptable industry.l It survived the arrival of English porcelain factories with large "in house" decorating departments, the use of cheap printing for decoration and also the growth of regional outside decorators such as Absalon, Billingsley and Chamberlain. By the end of the 18 century it was poised to enter an illustrious phase with the decoration of Welsh porcelains. Fourthly, it was never, except perhaps in the 1790s, a very large industry. Rather it was constituted by a series of small but long-lived enterprises. The absolute number of London china painters is likely to have been relatively small. However, the influence of the London industry extended beyond its own direct production. Many of the china painters employed in English porcelain factories had been trained or had worked in London at one time in their careers. In short, the London china painters constituted an extensive industry that played an important, if underestimated, part in English ceramic history.