In 1756 Dr Pococke, Bishop of Meath visited the Allgood family's japanware workshop in Pontypool. He noted, 'they make salvers and candlesticks and many other things which they japan; I am told that the light parts of this in imitation of tortoise shell is done with silver leaf. They adorn them with Chinese landscapes and figures in gold only, and not with colouring as at Birmingham. This ware is much better than the Birmingham but is dear, there being only two brothers and their children who make it and kept it a secret. They will also japan copper boxes, or anything made in copper which they cannot well work in iron'.