The company was found in 1855 by John Clayton (1827-1913) and Alfred Bell (1832-95) and continued making stained glass until 1993.

Clayton and Bell’s designs were initially manufactured by Heaton and Butler, with whom they shared a studio between 1859 and 1862. Robert Turnill Bayne, a Pre-Raphaelite artist, was originally employed as a designer with Clayton and Bell. Then in 1862, Baynes joined the firm of Heaton, and Butler, and Clayton and Bell began to manufacturer their own glass.