Elers brothers

John Philip Elers
Mug, 1693-98, with Chinese-style prunus-blossom sprigging
Born7 September 1664
Utrecht
Died1738
Dublin
NationalityBritish
OccupationPotter
Two teapots: left by the Elers; right, Chinese Yixing ware of 1627.

John Philip Elers (7 September 1664 – 1738) and his brother David Elers were Dutch silversmiths who came to England in the 1680s and turned into potters. The Elers brothers were important innovators in English pottery, bringing redware or unglazed stoneware to Staffordshire pottery.[1] Arguably they were the first producers of "fine pottery" in North Staffordshire, and although their own operations were not financially successful, they seem to have had a considerable influence on the following generation, who led the explosive growth of the industry in the 18th century.

Elers Brothers mug, 1690s[2]
  1. ^ V&A; MET
  2. ^ MET