History of the Factory

Calyx Porcelain,  Wembley Ware,  Bristile and  Australian Fine China.

The china was first produced in 1921 from the factory in Subiaco, Western Australia which opened under the name of Calyx Porcelain and Paint Company.

There were several changes of directors in the following years and the business went through plenty of ups and downs and in 1938 it was re-named H.L.Brisbane and Wunderlich Ltd.

The company used the name Bristile, but to avoid confusion with the name of their baked clay tiles, the earthenware items reverted to the name of Wembley Ware.  The name Bristile was re-introduced to the products in the 1960s.

The production of Bristile crockery came to the fore with the manufacture of ‘vitrified white crockery, often ‘badged’ for Government Departments and other institutions.

George Clauson, the pottery manager in 1946 inspired the factory’s gifted artists and modellers to use their talents in developing the Wembley Ware lines. The fancy ware proved to be exceedingly popular, not only in Australia, and it’s production was to continue until 1961.

In 1984 building of a new Office and Showroom was commenced on the Subiaco site.

In 1997 the name of Australian Fine China was adopted, and the company made china under this name until the closure of the Subiaco factory in 2006.

From this time Australian Fine China has operated its business from its headquarters in Welshpool, with all the china being made overseas.

There were some very interesting ranges of Australian Fine China made in Australia prior to closure, with colourful decorations including many featuring Australian flora and fauna. Australian Fine China which was made in the Subiaco factory and marked ‘Made in Australia’ has a proud past. These items are the last chapter in the story of the China Factory in Subiaco and as such have a place in history.