Emma Bridgewater

Emma Bridgewater
Industry Ceramics
Founded 1985
Owners Emma Rice née Bridgewater, Matthew Rice
Website www.emmabridgewater.co.uk

Emma Bridgewater is a British ceramics manufacturer founded in 1985, owned and run by Emma Rice née Bridgewater and Matthew Rice.[1] Noted for their polka dot design among others, Emma Bridgewater specialises in pottery with motifs drawing on techniques stretching back over 200 years. The company is one of the largest pottery manufacturers based entirely in the UK. Most of its products are made in its factory in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, England, [2] while others are produced in Poland.

Emma Bridgewater has two shops in London as well as an outlet store located at the company's factory. The products can also be purchased from major retailers such as John Lewis and House of Fraser.

In 2016, Bridgewater was made President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. [3] She is also a Patron of the Heritage Crafts Association.

History

A mug made by the company

The company was founded by Emma Bridgewater in 1985, when she was looking for a birthday present for her mother. Wanting to buy a cup and saucer but being unable to find any she liked, Emma created her own. Drawing four shapes, a mug, a bowl, a jug and a dish, samples were created in Stoke-on-Trent.[4] Matthew, Emma's husband, also designs for Emma Bridgewater. He indulges his passion for birdlife in the Birds range.[5] In its first year the company had a turnover of around £30,000. By 2009 this had increased to almost £8 million,[4] and £11 million in 2010, employing 180 people.[6]

Products

Emma Bridgewater's cream earthenware pottery designs are also adapted for application onto textiles, glass, tin, stationery, and melamine.[7] Her designs include patterns such as Black Toast, Polka Dot, Union Jack, Starry Skies, Pink Hearts and Figs. During a visit by Prince Andrew, a member of the British Royal Family, Emma discussed the brand's launch of its biggest ever collection of Royal commemorative ware to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.[8]Other Royal products have also been launched including the Emma Bridgewater Coronation range as well as commemorative mugs for the birth of Prince George and Princess Charlotte. [9]

Bibliography

  • Toast & marmalade and other stories. London: Saltyard Books. 2014. ISBN 978-1-44473-491-1.
  • Pattern. London: Saltyard Books. 2016. ISBN 978-1-44473-494-2.

References

  1. ↑ Wheater, Caroline. "Emma Bridgewater". BBC Homes and Antiques. Archived from the original on 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  2. ↑ "About the Company at Emma Bridgewater". www.emmabridgewater.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  3. ↑ "CPRE". www.cpre.org.uk. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
  4. 1 2 "Emma Bridgewater: The success of a pottery design business". The Daily Telegraph. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  5. ↑ Knight, Kathryn. "Pottery designer Emma Bridgewater: The woman who inspired my designs". Express. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "Emma Bridgewater". BBC Business News. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  7. ↑ Knight, Kathryn. "Pottery designer Emma Bridgewater: The woman who inspired my designs". Express. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  8. ↑ http://6towns.co.uk/news/2012/02/emma-bridgewater-launches-jubilee-collection#.T13fzIHVyI8
  9. ↑ "Memorabilia for Birth of Royal Baby". Mail Online.

Further reading

  • Cripps, Charlotte (14 September 2005). "Emma Bridgewater: One home is better than two - Property, House & Home". www.independent.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  • "Emma Bridgewater Pottery - Stoke-on-Trent City Council". www.stoke.gov.uk. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
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