George Tinworth, Eliza Simmance

Doultons progressed from functional products such as drain pipes and sanitary ware, to decorative products when George Tinworth joined them in 1866. He and others won for Doultons prizes at international exhibitions in 1867,1871 and 1873, in London Paris and Vienna. By this stage Doultons were in the forefront of decorative ceramics. With names like Eliza Simmance, Frank Butler and the Barlow family, Doultons established a status that brought prosperity and technical progress. Towards the end of the 'Doulton Lambeth' period, designs started to change and the complexity of the shapes and decoration became simpler - it was the start of the Art Nouveau period.