Bell’s (Glasgow) Pottery

Established in late 1840 or 1841, at the corner of Stafford St and Pulteney St, Glasgow, by brothers John and Matthew Perston Bell. The initial partnership trading as J.& M. P. Bell, Earthenware manufacturers. Quite quickly afterwards this became J.& M. P. Bell & Co. The reason for the change was the acquisition of a third partner, Robert Clough (sometimes spelt Cleugh). Matthew died in 1870 and his brother John, in 1880.

John Murdoch, a manager of the firm, continued trading as J & M P Bell Company Limited from 7 February 1881.  The limited company was very successful.  It was a time of great innovation and probably the most prolific period in the Pottery’s history. Designs were changed, production soared and the export trade certainly was well established both with the Far East and other areas nearer home.

The last piece was probably made around 1912 before the site was taken over by Joseph Turner, a previous Secretary of the company, who took over part of the works for the resale of imported Staffordshire & Czech wares. 

It is not until 1923 that a Gazette notice appears for the dissolution of the company, however Post Office records appear until 1941, potentially in the hands of John Weir, a previous clerk of the company.