Welsh Porcelain
Porcelain from Swansea & Nantgarw
In the world of fine porcelains, several firms vie for the title of ‘finest’. The Royally funded Sevres works of France are definitely finalists, but perhaps a controversial decision would see them beaten by a small private 
enterprise based in the unlikely town of Swansea, and its close cousin Nantgarw nearby. Set up in the Napoleonic years, their products were intended to compete directly with the expensive French imports – and some would say the Welsh products were superior. The Francophiles prefer to ignore this short-lived upstart, but the products speak for themselves, with a magical soft-paste product that is beautifully translucent and can be very finely potted & moulded.
Swansea lasted 1814-17, while Nantgarw made small 
quantities 1818-23. Their demise was not brought about by lack of business, but rather the overwhelming technological difficulties involved in creating such delicate soft-paste porcelain. Up to 80% of some kiln firings would slump into worthless lumps, meaning a lot of time and money wasted. Both firms failed financially, leaving their wonderful & rare porcelains as a testimony to their greatness.
The cup & saucer illustrated here is a tiny little Nantgarw piece currently in stock.