Traditional craftsmanship for over 100 years

Shaws Handcrafted Fireclay Sink Collection Craftsmanship at its very finest since 1897.

Shaws have been manufacturing fireclay sinks for over 100 years, using time honoured traditional methods and materials. Each sink crafted today is an individual product, bearing testament to the craftsmen who produce them.

Shaws sinks demonstrate the natural characteristics of fireclay ceramics and are created by a ‘slip casting’ process at our factory in the Lancashire town of Darwen. A mixture of clay and water is poured by hand into a porous mould. When the newly formed sinks are dry enough, craftsmen remove them from their moulds before hand finishing the sinks through a process of sponging and ‘fettling’ to create a smooth finish.

Following a gradual drying period of up to 40 hours, the sinks are then prepared with a ground coat before being glazed. Firing in specially designed kilns at temperatures of up to 1200 degrees centigrade completes this rigorous process.
Whilst modern technology has improved manufacturing conditions over the years, the principles of this handcrafted product remain the same. Each sink is proudly signed with the impression of its maker and bears its own distinctive badge. Traditional craftsmanship is as important now as it was in 1897.

The Belfast Sink
With the introduction of fireclay manufacture different patterns of sinks evolved. The most recognized of these being the Belfast and London models. The Belfast sink has a distinguishing weir overflow whereas the London sink has no overflow.  This was due to the fact that Belfast, with access to a plentiful water supply had a sink with an overflow, whereas in London water was more scarce and therefore no overflows were added to sinks to discourage water wastage.