This site is currently being rebuilt. Please
feel free to browse in the meantime, and do not hesitate to contact us
if you have any queries, using the link below. Thank you for your
patience.
The Ashtead
Pottery had a short life, being in business for just 12 years from
1923 to 1935. The factory was in the village of Ashtead in Surrey,
England. It was set up with the aim of providing employment for
disabled ex-servicemen and at its busiest it gave work to up to
forty men.
The main driving force behind the creation of the company was Sir
Lawrence Weaver, a highly influential man of the time. The company
produced a vast array of wares, ranging from figures and
commemoratives, designed by leading artists of the day, through to
everyday crockery. The great depression, increased competition and
the untimely death of Sir Lawrence led to eventual closure of the
pottery in January of 1935.
The only book
specifically written about the Ashtead Potters,
Edward Hallam's
excellent "Ashtead
Potters Ltd in Surrey, 1923-35"
was published privately by the Hallam's and had very small print
run. There are other books that mention the pottery, usually
within the overall "Art
Deco" context.
Some of the "collectables" books, for example "Millers", have the
odd photo, more often or not, of a Phoebe Stabler figure.
The original catalogues are thought to be lost. So it is the
intention of this site to try collate a photographic record and
give some background to the variety of wares that are "Ashtead".