Samuel Alcock was trained in Paris and was one of the premier artists working for Copeland in the 19th century. He was employed on a freelance basis which was unusual for the company. He worked from his studio at his home near the factory in Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent. Undecorated ware was taken to him on a handcart along with ceramic colours and brushes.

He painted ladies of fashion, heroines from fiction and designed decorations inspired by the words of old songs. Much of his work was on fine vases and was richly gilded and 'jewelled'. His pieces, ordered by Thomas Goode of London and Tiffanys of New York were sold for very high prices before he had completed them. He was highly paid and allowed to sign his work. The Museum archive has records of him working for the company from about 1882 - 1900.

A report of the Royal visit to the factory in 1897 by the then Princess of Wales states: 'Among the extensive display of articles was a stand of the charming pieces decorated in Mr. Alcock's peculiarly delicate style upon the glossiest of surface, The Cavendish vase, which formed the centre of this collection, is a magnificent specimen, decorated on the body with groups of classical figures representing "night" and "morning", the top, foot and handles of the piece being gorgeously gilded and "jewelled". Dainty dessert pieces, painted with sylvan subjects representing the seasons, music and the arts were also on view'.

A magnificent two handled vase depicting Naomi and her two daughters-in-law was exhibited at the 1889 International Exhibition in Paris and this can be seen on display in the Spode Museum.