Figure of a pair of greyhounds lying on a large fringed cushion, of Morley porcelain clay, probably made by Samuel Alcock's factory, Stoke-on-Trent, ca.1841

Biscuit porcelain figure of a pair of greyhounds. The hounds are lying chained together on a large cushion with fringed edge.

Transferred from the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street

This figure was comissioned by Lord Morley about 1841, probably from Samuel Alcock (who made this model commercially) or another of the Staffordshire potteries to whom he suplied clay. The Literary Gazette and Journal of the Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences reported at the time:

He (Lord Morley)has produced a specimen of potter's found at the Morley Works in the parish Shaugh about seven miles distant This was formed from the granite of the neighbourhood in a state of decay by the of the felspar so that this substance is reduced to a state resembling quicklime or by being subjected to streaming and the water of the finer particles were washed the coarser till it arrived at the condition which appeared in the specimen or that of pure potter's clay. He stated Lord Morley had sets of china made from it the finest description and the color was the pure white as the finest alabaster and shew tenacity of the clay he pointed out a chain connecting the dogs made of links and as flexible and perfect in its construction as a chain of metal. It was therefore admirably adapted both to useful and ornamental purposes from this clay, being in the neighborhood of this port. But it would have been a great demand for it in conjunction with the St Austell Clay was formed in the same manner as Shaugh. The potteries might be supplied to an unlimited extent for there were hundreds of acres on Lord Morley's property, applicable to the finest manufacture of native china and ornaments.

Mentioned as early as 1843 by T. Sopwith, Account of the Museum of Economic Geology, London 1843, p. 20: "Two greyhounds, and several other beautiful specimens made from the Morley china clay, were presented by Lord Morley." No. G546 in 1876 edition of Jermyn Street catalogue.

Made from clay supplied by the Earl of Morley's estate.

2738-1901