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Thomas Pardoe 1770-1823 |
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A talented enameler, who was noted for flower painting. He was born in Derby on 3rd July 1770 and was apprenticed at the Derby (Nottingham Road) porcelain factory in the 1780s. Later moving to Worcester. He painted creamware at Swansea between 1795 and 1809, coming under the influence of Dilwyn (who was a botanist). The following addresses are listed in the Bristol directories: Under the Bank (1809-11), 28 Bath Street (1812-16) and Thomas Street (1820-22). The Mathews directory for 1821 also lists him under the classified section "Glass Stainers", giving him addresses at Long Row, Thomas St and Church St, near the Abbey, Bath. He went to Nantgarw in 1821, where he decorated porcelain, and died in 1823. His sketch book is now in the Victoria and Albert museum. He was the father of William Henry Pardoe, who later took over the Nantgarw site for manufacture of clay pipes. In Bristol he was an independent decorator and gilder, painting china and pottery supplied in the white by John Rose of Coalport and possibly others. His Bristol pieces are the only ones he signed e.g., "Pardoe Bristol". According to Pountney the enamel was fired at the Temple Pottery. He also worked on glass, as the directory listing for 1813 describe him as a "China and glass enameler and gilder, wholesale and retail". He also retailed pieces decorated at John Rose's factory, and probably from the rival Coalport factory operated by John's brother Thomas. Pardoe is particularly associated with botannical scenes. For more information on Thomas Pardoe and illustrations of his work see "Coalport 1795-1926" by Michael Messenger (1995). |