George Tinworth
Doulton Artist

George Tinworth set Doultons on the road to being producers of the finest decorative products. Until his arrival George Tinworth, Doultons made only functional products, such as drain pipes - in salt-glazed stoneware. In 1866/7 George Tinworth started work at Doulton’s Lambeth factory, having trained at the Lambeth school of Art. At the age of 23 he had a figure group, accepted for exhibition by the Royal Academy, and was instrumental in the success of Doultons at international exhibitions in 1867, 1871, and 1873. By this stage the management of Doultons had accepted the viability of the production of decorative products.

George Tinworth signed his output on the outside, a priveledge that was never to be accorded officially to any other employees at Lambeth. Athough greatly appreciated at Doultons, he was unable to relate to his fellow workers. He became a solitary figure working in his studio and finding it difficult to engage in general conversation.