Bio & Information
James Hadley (1837-1903) Hadley & Sons Bio
James Hadley was apprenticed in the 1850’s to Kerr & Binns of Worcester, (the predecessor firm to the Royal Worcester Porcelain Company) His skill ad reputation grew to the pointy that by 1870, he became they principal modeller – John Sandon, a well-respected British authority, glass and ceramics said of James Hadley as “probably the finest English modeller of all time” In 1875, at the age of 38, he left the Worcester factory and set up his own modelling studio at 95 High Street, Worcester most of his models for figures and ornamental vases were contracted to the Worcester Porcelain company over the next 20 years He had his name inscribed on the base of his master models Hadley employed a group of young artists including William Jarman, Walter Powell, Arthur Lewis, Walter Sedgley, Albert Shuck, Kitty Blake and Mary Eaton to paint peacocks, game birds and flowers in a subdued palette Softly painted roses in full bloom, painted in the Hadley style, later came to be known as Hadley Roses by collectors of Royal Worcester wares in 1895 his contract was terminated due to falling demand and he set up his own business With the aid of his three sons, and trading as Hadley & Sons, he began producing decorative porcelain in 1896, with the assistance of a group of young artists James Hadley died in December 1903 and the business was taken over by Royal Worcester in July 1905, though distinctive Hadley ware continued to be produced under the supervision of Louis Hadley for many years Many of the floral designs found on Hadley ware were painted in monochrome, but were always of a very high quality Much of the Hadley output consisted of high-class earthenware decorated with transparent glazes
