Bow Manufactory

The Bow factory was founded by the Irish-born painter Thomas Frye and Edward Heylyn between 1744 and 1749 in Stratford Langthorne near London. From the earliest years, soft-paste porcelain of a pure white colour was produced. Bow porcelain was initially inspired by the decorations of Oriental porcelain and the Kakiemon type in particular. From 1754 onwards, the factory began to enrich its production of Oriental types with the decal technique. The presence of plum blossoms, well known in Meissen, as well as shells can be distinguished in the plastics and paintings.
Production then turned to cups, inkwells, sugar bowls, figurines from the ‘Art Comedy’, either in groups or singles, mythological groups and classic gallant scenes. The colourful design reflects the Rococo style, which is both lively and sophisticated.
Quality unfortunately declined rapidly and the factory went bankrupt in 1763.