Williamsburg Studio 1937-87

In 1937 Palin Thorley visited Colonial Williamsburg, the living history museum on the site of Virginia’s eighteenth-century capital. At the Craft House Shop, which sold reproduction housewares, Thorley was shown some archaeological fragments of an early nineteenth-century jug with silver luster decoration. When asked if he could reproduce the jug, Thorley reported that he not only produced the exact same shape for Hall China Company already but that he also knew the historical methods of creating the silver luster glaze. Thorley soon became a licensed manufacturer for Colonial Williamsburg and the museum encouraged him to relocate to Virginia.

By this time Colonial Williamsburg was a leading arbiter of taste for Post-War America. Visitors to the museum were inspired by the restored eighteenth-century buildings whose quasi-historical interiors featured a mix of antiques and reproduction items. Colonial Williamsburg published decorating magazines and sold upholstery, window drapes, and paint colors that helped Americans create modern-day versions of colonial-era homes. Thorley’s deep knowledge of historic English ceramic traditions along with his keen eye for fashion allowed him to create traditionally inspired ceramics that also worked well in contemporary homes. 

Listen to Thorley recount his first trip to Colonial Williamsburg and how he convinced the staff that he could recreate eighteenth-century ceramics for the museum store.

Secondary sign that hung outside Thorley stuido-shop, 1950's-1970's