1*6 
KERAMIC STUDIO 
This illustration combines two rare specimens of Billingsley's undoubted early 
mannerism. One is from a placque in the collection of P. Walker Cox, Esq., Beard- 
sail, Derby. The other is the famous 'Prentice plate in the Derby Museum, painted 
by Billingsley for Duesbury, as a pattern for the boys at the Derby factory to 
learn from. 
THE COLLECTOR 
BILLINGSLEY ROSES ON OLD CHINA 
Mary Churchill Ripley 
ONE has to study very carefully and very critically, in order 
to feel equipped to decide between the claims of pot- 
tery and porcelain made a century or more ago. All prejudice 
in favor of marks must be done away with, and quality of 
paste and styles of decoration must be conscientiously con- 
sidered. 
To show how easily one may become confused in forming 
estimates, let us take the story of the migrations of a single 
potter artist to illustrate how neither marks, material nor dec- 
oration alone can determine the claims of productions. 
During the early period of the Derby factory, influences 
from outside had marked its productions, as both the Chelsea 
and the Bow potteries had been bought by Duesbury, the 
owner of the Derby works during part of the last quarter of 
the eighteenth century. 
In 1774 the widowed mother of a boy named Wm. 
Billingsley, apprenticed him to Mr. Duesbury for five years. 
During this apprenticeship young Billingsley showed wonder- 
ful skill in painting flowers, particularly roses, and when peo- 
ple ordered goods at the Derby pottery they were apt to 
order that they be painted with Billingsley flowers. After 
the apprenticeship was over an agreement was entered upon 
and Billingsley remained with Mr. Duesbury for 20 years, 
growing more and more skillful and proficient in his work, 
becoming an artist of rare skill. 
For 20 years, then, goods bearing the Derby mark were, 
in all probability, decorated by Billingsley, when the pieces 
were of importance. 
At length, Billingsley felt that he would listen to some 
of the overtures made to him by other potteries, and he re- 
ceived many offers. Interested people wrote to Mr. Dues- 
bury, saying "you cannot afford to lose Billingsley, for no one 
will ever do flower work as well as he ; and besides that, if he 
goes to any other pottery, the goods he turns out will rival 
Derby goods, and you will be at a loss to know what to do." 
Billingsley however did leave Derby and entered into an 
engagement with Mr. Coke at Pinxton, about 1799 (dates 
Plate 
his earlier (or Derby) mam 
formed rose. It is either 
ngsley in 
single, delicately 
Oeorge IV. when 
vary given by authorities). Here he invented a new paste 
called "granular body," which had the appearance, because of 
the flint in its composition, of fine loaf sugar. He also made 
other discoveries and inventions. Now, unless investigations 
be carefully made, the collector might just here form false 
Plate of the best Nantgarw chin 
Decorated by Billingsley with the re 
1 from the collection of Mr. Prune, Cardiff: 
le. passion flower, stock, etc. 
estimates, imagining that after having removed to Pinxton at 
the height of his powers, Billingsley would have produced 
goods rivalling those turned out by him at the Derby factory, 
