Elers, John Philip

John Philip Elers, of German origin, was an English potter active in Staffordshire during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He, along with his brother David, is credited with making red stoneware. Their work is difficult to distinguish from that of John Dwight and their Staffordshire imitators. The Elers brothers' migration to Staffordshire is considered a starting point for the large modern pottery industry in that area. Their wares often featured stamped reliefs, with the Chinese prunus blossom being a common motif. They also utilized patterns from silversmithing, possibly due to their prior experience in that trade. The Elers' production of red and brown-glazed stonewares was eventually replaced by salt-glazed stoneware around 1690, which was seen as a substitute for porcelain. John Astbury, another significant figure in Staffordshire pottery, is said to have learned from the Elers brothers.12