THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
141
Roman jugs ; plates from Palissy's designs ; others from choice old stoneware
patterns ; more specimens of the original 'Essex Jug' which we have before
referred to, and on which appear medallions of county scenes, representations of
family and borough shields, natural productions, castles, and coins, all having
reference to the county ; specimens of a rich mottled blue ware, in which elegant
ewers, etc., of old French and Venetian shapes are made ; models and historical
plaques of the Castle ; a number of copies of old pottery in a rich mottled brown
ware, originated by Mr. Bingham's father in 1822 ; various little articles in
incised terra-cotta, of which the late Sir Henry Cole, of South Kensington, when
on a visit to the little pottery, expressed his unqualified approval, and said it was
'refreshing to his eyes'; terra-cotta flower vases of various sizes and shapes,
including one pattern of pretty trellis-work, with trailing hops and vines—these
special pieces and many others have brought the Hedingham Pottery into much
repute.
" While exploring and examining, under the courteous conduct of Mr. Bing-
ham, 'the master potter,' we glean some interesting facts connected with the
history of Hedingham and its Castle, for the potter has been a diligent student of
history and matters antiquarian, and his little museum of old china, coins, books,
etc., proclaim him to be, as he ever has been, a diligent searcher after knowledge.
We learn, too, what is more to the point for this article, some facts in the history
of Hedingham potters and pottery, as far as they relate to the Bingham family.
The Pottery Works were taken by Mr. Bingham's father some fifty years ago for
the manufacture of common earthenware. Mr. Bingham, sen., was an excellent
workman, and being vigorous both in mind and body he made the native clays
and their glazing his special study, with the result that he discovered some valu-
able secrets, which are now benefiting his posterity. These, with a few craft
traditions he had long before acquired with great trouble from old Delft and
German workmen at his uncle's works at Lambeth (and in those early days of
trade jealousy and mystery this was no small matter to obtain, either by love or
money), formed the stock of knowledge which led hi; son, the present head of the
works, on to his earliest studies in artwork. The Exhibition of 1851 gave a
stimulus to the son, and he acquired ideas sufficiently definite to bring out his
trellis work and other terra-cotta vases, which still hold their own and find a fair
demand. Improving as years went on, and being about 1865 well patronised by
the elite of the neighbourhood, many of them were good enough to lend Mr.
Bingham quaint specimens of pottery and costly works of good authors. The
lives of Palissy and Wedgwood, with their difficulties and successes, stimulated
him afresh, and a few years as sub-postmaster afforded him (as some years before
a boys' school had done) some spare time and cash for experiments. He soon
obtained confidence for a restart, this time as a glazed ornamental-ware potter.
This was in the year 1875. The material Mr. Bingham used in his manufacture
was, as it now is, composed of Essex clays, deftly combined with other clays,
metals, minerals, etc., in order to produce the blue and browns which have given
the Hedingham productions a statu;. The potter's success was for a time but
indifferent. Loss upon loss nearly disheartened him, until he was convinced that
the hope of much of the profits he had looked forward to must be abandoned, and
that he must provide materials without regard to expense. Results then gave
satisfaction, but the manufacture became more select and unique, the output
being confined to the works of himself and his family. Mr. Bingham soon found
his wares contracting a peculiarity of style. This was traceable to the want of