Our handcrafted stoneware has been shaped by generations of craftsmen and moulded by the changes in the way we live and the fashions of the time. Follow our journey through over 200 years of history and meet some of our iconic designs and the people who bought them to life in the kiln.
Salt Glaze | c.1832
Beauty combined with Utility: Puzzle Jug & Cordial Flask
In 1809, local entrepreneur William Bourne discovered the strength and quality of our local Derbyshire clay. He set up a factory employing local craftsmen and kicked off the tradition of jollying, fettling and handcrafting. And so began the story of Denby.
In 1809, local entrepreneur William Bourne discovered the strength and quality of our local Derbyshire clay. He set up a factory employing local craftsmen and kicked off the tradition of jollying, fettling and handcrafting. And so began the story of Denby.
Majolica | c.1890
Victorian Avant Garde: Money Boxes
We also invented secret glaze recipes that when fired to the right temperatures, give each piece its unique and durable surface. Our Majolica glaze is over 100 years old and simply stunning, we are sure you'll agree.
We also invented secret glaze recipes that when fired to the right temperatures, give each piece its unique and durable surface. Our Majolica glaze is over 100 years old and simply stunning, we are sure you'll agree.
Electric Blue | c.1925
Arts & Crafts for the Modern Age: Decorative Tableware
As the nation emerged from the darkness of the wartime years, our vibrant Electric Blue glaze captured the cheerfulness of peacetime. Our designers have reflected its captivating glaze effect in modern designs like Halo and Statements.
As the nation emerged from the darkness of the wartime years, our vibrant Electric Blue glaze captured the cheerfulness of peacetime. Our designers have reflected its captivating glaze effect in modern designs like Halo and Statements.
Cottage Blue | c.1926
Denby Digs Deep: The Famous Denby Style is Born
Denby really started to take shape in the 1930s with strong designs like Epic and Cottage Blue. Into the 1940s, wartime restrictions meant Denby ran out of all other glazes apart from Utility Brown. Aptly named, as our craftsmen rallied together and filled the kilns with practical Naafi teapots, rum bottles for the navy and even telegraphic insulators and battery jars to aid the war effort.
Denby really started to take shape in the 1930s with strong designs like Epic and Cottage Blue. Into the 1940s, wartime restrictions meant Denby ran out of all other glazes apart from Utility Brown. Aptly named, as our craftsmen rallied together and filled the kilns with practical Naafi teapots, rum bottles for the navy and even telegraphic insulators and battery jars to aid the war effort.
Marmaduke | c.1930
3 Generations and Still Multiplying: Novelty Item
A few loveable characters like our Marmaduke rabbits first hopped into our hearts.
A few loveable characters like our Marmaduke rabbits first hopped into our hearts.
Glyn Ware | c.1950
Handpainted Experiments with Natural Forms: Decorative Tableware
With the new spirit of freedom, Albert Colledge and his son Glyn brought modern design into the post war home. The transformation from merely useful to beautiful helped to establish the tableware company we all recognise today.
With the new spirit of freedom, Albert Colledge and his son Glyn brought modern design into the post war home. The transformation from merely useful to beautiful helped to establish the tableware company we all recognise today.
Greenwheat | c.1956
Capturing the Essence of the Age: Tableware
Handpainted in minimalist style with decoration inspired by the brush strokes of early Japanese potters, Greenwheat featured in the Denby portfolio until 1977.
Handpainted in minimalist style with decoration inspired by the brush strokes of early Japanese potters, Greenwheat featured in the Denby portfolio until 1977.
Tigo | c.1956
Tableware as Sculpture: Decorative Tableware
Extraordinary designer Tibor Reich, was the son of a Hungarian ribbon manufacturer. His eclectic designs graced the inside of No 10 Downing Street and Concorde, putting Denby firmly on the design map.
Extraordinary designer Tibor Reich, was the son of a Hungarian ribbon manufacturer. His eclectic designs graced the inside of No 10 Downing Street and Concorde, putting Denby firmly on the design map.
Chevron | c.1962
Signposting the Future: Tableware
As people started to travel and broaden their horizons, Denby definitely put the hip into homewares. Over in the US the distinctive tread effect of Chevron had to be renamed as Camelot, as the original was the name of a rather well known chain of petrol stations!
As people started to travel and broaden their horizons, Denby definitely put the hip into homewares. Over in the US the distinctive tread effect of Chevron had to be renamed as Camelot, as the original was the name of a rather well known chain of petrol stations!
Arabesque | c.1963
Eastern Infuences: Tableware
Our distinctive Arabesque design was inspired by a trip to Russia and quickly became a much loved tableware range. Our designers have taken inspiration from our archives and the groovy look of Heritage Veranda brings flower power back to the tabletop.
Our distinctive Arabesque design was inspired by a trip to Russia and quickly became a much loved tableware range. Our designers have taken inspiration from our archives and the groovy look of Heritage Veranda brings flower power back to the tabletop.
Imperial Blue | c.1989
A Denby Perennial with Roots in the 20s: Tableware
Flashback to the eighties, an era of exuberance and excess. Our stunning Imperial Blue and Regency Green championed classic over chintz, proving that strong design will always stand the test of time.
Beautifully textured glazes and bold shapes make our ever popular ranges as relevant today, as they were 30 years ago. These worldwide best sellers are showing no signs of going out of fashion.
Kiln | c.2022
Beautifully Uncomplicated: Tableware
Today we continue to go from strength to strength, crafting timeless collections that exude English heritage and seeking our new trends to create modern ones. We've masterfully updated some of our vintage patterns in our inspirational Heritage range and gone back to our pottery roots with the stunning new Kiln collection.
Bathroom Accessories | c.2025
Beyond the Kitchen: Homeware
The joy of handcrafted ceramics shouldn't be restricted to the kitchen. Expertly glazed in our best-selling Halo and Kiln designs, and sustainably made from our hardy stoneware clay, our selection of soap dishes, toilet brushes, plant pots, trays, beakers and soap dispensers are designed for feel-good moments everywhere in the home.
The joy of handcrafted ceramics shouldn't be restricted to the kitchen. Expertly glazed in our best-selling Halo and Kiln designs, and sustainably made from our hardy stoneware clay, our selection of soap dishes, toilet brushes, plant pots, trays, beakers and soap dispensers are designed for feel-good moments everywhere in the home.
Browse the Denby Collection.
View our latest collections and bestselling ranges.