THE CAUGHLEY SOCIETY

Welcome to the official website of The Caughley Society. In it, you can read more about the Society's activities, print off a form to join, and find out more about our forthcoming pattern book, "Caughley Blue and White Patterns".

This site is not intended to provide a comprehensive guide to Caughley porcelain, but the following is a very brief overview. From around 1775 to 1799, at Caughley near Broseley in Shropshire, England, Ambrose Gallimore and Thomas Turner produced some of the finest soft-paste porcelain made in England in the 18th century. Many shapes and patterns were produced, in the main useful wares: tea services, dinner services, and everyday objects that would be used in the households of the then-emerging middle classes. The porcelain was decorated largely in underglaze blue, although enamel colours and gilding were also used. Today, Caughley porcelain is highly collectable and much sought after.

The Caughley Society was formed in 1999. Its aims are to educate the public in the subject of Caughley porcelains, and to promote research and study in all matters relating to Caughley porcelain and to disseminate the useful knowledge gained for the public benefit.

In 2002, the Society was responsible for erecting a memorial at the factory site, seen below at its unveiling with the Society's then-President, Geoffrey Godden.

In 2005, the Society staged a major exhibition, “Caughley in Colour”, at and in conjunction with the Coalport China Museum near Ironbridge in Shropshire, home of the national Caughley porcelain collection.

The Society's latest project is the publication of a pattern book containing all the known blue and white patterns and borders used by the Caughley factory. For more details, please click on the 'Pattern Book' button on the left of this page.

The Society holds two meetings annually, in April and October, at the Coalport China Museum. These comprise talks, discussions, opportunities to study representative pieces, and give a chance for members to socialise. To find out more about these, please click on the 'Meetings Programme' button on the left of this page.

The Society also publishes four newsletters a year, distributed free to members. To read more about these, please click on the 'Newsletters' button on the left of this page.

New members are always welcome, whether they are collectors of porcelain or simply have an interest in 18th century decorative arts and want to learn more. If you would like to join the Society, please click on the 'Membership Application Form' button on the left of the page. We would be very pleased to welcome you.

The Caughley Society is registered as a charity with HMRC, ref XT9477