Ruskin pottery was founded in 1889 by William Howson Taylor who named it after the great writer and artist John Ruskin. Ruskin pots are renowned for their wonderful and innovative glazes. Inspiration came from old oriental pots which had highly skilled high fire glazes. Taylor also made small ceramic roundels, initially to go into furniture and copper mirrors for Liberty. Later, the roundels were sold in kits for women who wanted to be part of the Arts and Crafts Movement, so they could make their own jewellery at home out of soft pewter to be worn as a badge of their commitment to the Movement.