Jennens, Bettridge and Sons
of Birmingham
Japanners; the most well known makers of papier mache artefacts
1816 The partnership took over the Birmingham works of Henry Clay at 19, 20 & 21 Barr Street
1821 Joseph Booth joined the firm
1825 The partnership took out a patent for "ornamenting papier-mâché with pearl shell" - this technique together with painted decoration and gilding provided a brilliant effect because of the iridescent quality of the mother-of-pearl. The quality of their work was quickly recognised and by 1825 they could claim to be "Japanners in Ordinary to His Majesty". Royal commissions were received not only from George IV but also William IV and, later, Queen Victoria.
Initially the bulk of their production was trays and other small wares but by 1839 they were producing larger items and in that year supplied Buckingham Palace with two folding screens. One, which had a cream ground, was decorated with birds and flowers and cost £24 5s; the other was charged at £26 5s. Apart from new items of this nature the partnership were employed on repair of furniture in the Royal Collection.
The range of larger furniture widened to include cabinets, chiffoniers, secretaires, writing desks and sofa-tables to become the largest manufacturer of papier-mâché ware in the world, supplying well-known furniture retailers such as Pratts of Bradford.
1835 Joseph Booth, specialist in oriental designs, left the company.
by 1837 the firm had opened London showrooms at 3 Halkin Street West, Belgrave Square. The firm remained in these two locations.
1841 John Bettridge took out patent no. 8792 which dealt with the heat treatment of wood prior to japanning in order to prevent movement during and after the japanning process. The artist Joseph Booth was employed by Jennens and Bettridge and he was amongst the first in the trade to use gold size and whitening to produce the elevated sections of his designs.
1851 The business reached its zenith with exhibits of papier maché chairs and other objects at the 1851 Great Exhibition and the opening of branches in New York and Paris.
1853 Jennens & Bettridge exhibited papier mache and japanned wares at the 1853 Irish Industrial Exhibition, Dublin
In the early 1850s the firm employed sixty-four men full time as decorators, most of them trained either in the Birmingham or London Schools of Design. Chairs, tables, cabinets and bookcases were made with a solid rod being fixed inside the central pillar to take the weight.
1859 'We regret to announce the failure of Messrs. Jennens and Betteridge, the well known Birmingham manufacturers of all descriptions of first-class papier mache goods. The firm has been in existence for upwards of 50 years. The stoppage was rendered necessary by the death of Mr Betteridge who, by deed, had a claim upon the upon the estate to a considerable amount, which, if paid to his executors would have jeopardized the interests of the great body of creditors. There is reason to believe that, notwithstanding the loss sure to follow from a forced sale of their valuable stock, there will be a surplus after paying 20s in the pound.'[1]
1859 'JOHN BETTERIDGE (late Jennens and Betteridge), PAPIER MACRE MANUFACTURER, Birmingham, begs to announce that he has RECOMMENCED BUSINESS, and trusts by unremitting personal attention, and by employing the most skilful hands, to maintain the pre-eminent reputation which the late firm so long enjoyed. J. Betteridge takes this opportunity of saying that all patterns hitherto supplied by Jennens and Betteridge may be obtained from him.' [2]
1862 At the London International Exhibition the firm exhibited an elaborate bed designed by Mr Fitzcook
1864 Bettridge patented the application of aluminium to the material.
1865 the firm created elaborate and extensive decorative panels for the interior of a yacht built for the Viceroy of Egypt. J. Bettridge & Co. also exhibited wares at the Dublin International Exhibition.
1866 Christopher Dresser was reported to have agreed to supply designs for papier-maché objects to J Bettridge and Co.[3]
1867 John Bettridge & Co. participated in the 1867 Paris Exhibition, exhibiting an upright piano in papier-maché and were listed as makers of a chair of papier-maché and cane, gilded and painted.
1870 John Bettridge continued the business alone up to 1870.
See Also
Sources of Information
- Papier Mache: The Times, 18 May 1957
- [1] Furniture history