Simon Birks
Born 1829
Died 1890
Active: 1843 - 1881
Country of birth and death: England
Potter's modeller
Born in Longton where he was christened on 10 May 1829. He was the son of George Birks (born c.1791), a modeller. In about 1843 he was apprenticed to Minton & Co (later Minton, Hollins & Co.). Birks studied at the local Government School of Design. At the Great Exhibition of 1851, a majolica vase made by Minton and based on a design by Birks was exhibited. It is illustrated in M. Digby Wyatt, 'Industrial Arts of the 19th Century', plate 11, and Birks is named as the designer with ‘modifications’ by artists under Herbert Minton’s direction. He was employed by Wedgwood from 1867 to 1874.
Institutional and Business Connections
Employed at Wedgwood (Josiah Wedgwood and Sons Ltd.)
1867 - 1874 (Circa)
See a single page letter from Josiah Wedgwood to Simon Birks dated 25 May 1867. The letter discusses Birks forthcoming employment as a modeller, and states that the company cannot employ his son becasue they already have an apprentice [see The Wedgwood Manuscripts, Wedwgood Archives, E49 29545]. See also a hand written note book with works by Simon Birks and Joseph Birks that were produced while the artists were employed at Wedgwood, and details of salaries, dated 1871-1874 [see The Wedgwood Manuscripts, Wedwgood Archives, E49 29547].
Studied at Stoke School of Art
1849 (Circa) - 1859 (Circa)
See Haggar, 'Dictionary' (1947), unpaged.
Studied at Wedgwood (Josiah Wedgwood and Sons Ltd.)
1867 (Circa) - 1875 (Circa)
See Haggar, 'Dictionary' (1947), unpaged.
Personal and Professional Connections
Employee of Josiah Wedgwood
1867
See a single page letter from Josiah Wedgwood to Simon Birks dated 25 May 1867. The letter discusses Birks forthcoming employment as a modeller, and states that the company cannot employ his son becasue they already have an apprentice [see The Wedgwood Manuscripts, Wedwgood Archives, E49 29545].
Descriptions of Practice
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851
'Potter's modeller' living with his mother, five of his sisters and brothers also working for the potteries.
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
'Potter's Modeller'
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871
'Potter Artist'
Occupation given in Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881
'Designer (Potter's) and his son Joseph (born c. 1853) 'Modeller'
Sources
A Century of Art Education in the Potteries. With notes on the Artists, 1953 Local Studies
1953 (Circa)
See Haggar (1953), p. 12.
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841
2010
HO107
Piece number 991
Book number 12
Folio number 27
Page number 2
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851
2005
HO107
Piece number 2006
Folio 107
Page 17
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861
2005
Class: RG 9; Piece: 1940; Folio: 169; Page: 33; GSU roll: 542891
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871
2004
RG10
Piece number 2870
Folio 103
Page 22
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1881
2004
Class: RG11; Piece: 2728; Folio: 117; Page: 66; GSU roll: 1341654
England & Wales Christening Records, 1530-1906
2008
Name: Simon Birks
Gender: Male
Christening Date: 10 May 1829
Christening Place: Longton, Staffordshire, England
Phillimore Ecclesiastical Parish Map:
View this parish
Father: George Birks
Mother: Ann Birks
England & Wales, FreeBMD Death Index, 1837-1915
2006
SIMON
Last name BIRKS
Gender Male
Birth day -
Birth month -
Birth year 1829
Age 61
Death quarter 4
Death year 1890
District Stoke on Trent
County Staffordshire
Volume 6B
Page 151
Country England
Record set England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory Civil Deaths & Burials
Collections from Great Britain, England
Letter from Josiah Wedgwood to Simon Birks, 25 May 1867
25 May 1867
Single page letter from Josiah Wedgwood to Simon Birks.
Notebook with works by Simon and Joseph Birks, 1871-1874
pp. 1-99.
Citing this record
'Simon Birks', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib4_1222079156, accessed 27 Sep 2023]
