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Miniature mug with green and blue glaze and harp shaped handle, made by Wade Pottery.
Wade potteries began in 1866 with the purchase of some cottages in Burslem, England. By 1930 Wade consisted of three potteries which were A.J. Wade Ltd., George Wade & Son Ltd. and Wade Heath and Co. Ltd. As the company developed during the twentieth century, another site was needed to cope with the demand for business. A suitable site for the production of Wade was found in an old linen mill in Watson Street, Portadown. The mill was bought by Colonel George Wade in 1946 and was equipped for the production of electrical porcelain.
The Wade Irish Pottery became a private limited company in 1950 and was named Wade (Ulster) Ltd. In the early 1950s the demand for electrical products fell and the company converted its workshops for the production of commemorative and giftware. A fire almost destroyed the business in 1956 but the company carried on becoming involved in the production of Whimsies which were small storybook characters or animals. The company also developed its own giftware range. The distinctive green and blue glaze which you can see on many of the objects was to become a recognisable characteristic of Wade made in Co. Armagh. |
