Felspathic (or feldspathic) stoneware refers to a unique group of stonewares which are generally white and include feldspar in the body. They are the only group of non-porcelain pottery which often display translucence when held to a strong light.
   These stonewares were developed in Staffordshire in the late 1780s by both Turner and Lakin. They were a development inspired by the earlier jasper wares of both Turner and Wedgwood. Other potters also produced felspathic stoneware, including Adams, Spode, Chetham & Woolley, Davenport, Samuel Hollins, Neale & Co., E. Mayer, the Leeds Pottery, Joshua Heath, the Liverpool Herculaneum pottery and many others.
   The name of the Castleford Pottery in Mexborough, Yorkshire, became synonymous with these fine wares so that they are often called ‘Castleford’ type stoneware by some, whilst others refer to them as ‘Turner’ type stonewares. They were made mostly during the neo-classical period from circa 1785 to 1820, but some production continued for a little while longer before being replaced by porcelain and vitreous chinas.
   Felspathic stonewares were amongst the finest quality ceramics produced in Britain, often exhibiting outstanding workmanship and technical excellence.