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Minton Tableware
Minton has graced the world's dining rooms and staterooms for 200 years. Prestigious, sometimes opulent, but never ostentatious, Minton embodies the elegance of English understatement. The famous 'Haddon Hall' design is an interpretation of a historical tapestry which hangs in the well known Haddon Hall, Derbyshire and is acknowledged as one of the world's best and most enduring ceramic designs.
All Minton Patterns
 | Haddon Hall |  | Haddon Hall Trellis |  | Haddon Hall, blue trim |
 | Hardwick |  | Riverton |
Minton Tableware
Minton was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton, in Stoke on Trent, after extensive apprenticeships with Josiah Spode, Josiah Wedgwood and John Adams. It began by producing blue and white oriental-inspired wares that were all the rage in London.
Thomas Minton was soon on the search for other materials to diversify the product offering and once a suitable clay had been located in Cornwall, it wasn't long before stoneware, transfer-ware, creamware and hand painted items were available. In 1817 Thomas's son Herbert joined the business, focusing on expanding the product range to encompass wonderfully decorative ornamental wares. Growth was rapid, feeding a demand generated by the wealth of the industrial revolution.
Minton became exceptional at anticipating the tastes and needs of its customers, investing in design and new decorating techniques, be it Parian style product during the 1840's or the very colourful Majolica that was launched at the Great Exhibition in 1851.
Further investment during the Victorian period saw the creation of Minton Hollins tiles, beautifully hand painted tiles that rapidly received world recognition, with commissions for the Capitol Building in the United States and both Houses of Parliament in London.
On the death of Herbert Minton, succession was passed to his nephew Colin Minton Campbell, an equally flamboyant character who was also elected as a Member of Parliament. Investment in ornamental wares continued, with ranges influenced by Chinese Cloisonné, Japanese lacquer and Turkish pottery.
Minton, despite its financial wealth, did not make it unscathed by the Great Depression and the collapse of the luxuries market, as well as having to halt production during the Second World War. Despite this Minton survived and was able to capitalise on the post-war economic boom with a focus on tableware, including the launch of the much-loved Haddon Hall. In the 1950's it merged with Royal Doulton, who actively maintained the development of Minton tableware. In 2000 Minton became part of the Wedgwood Group.
