Portmeirion by Will Farmer

Author:Will Farmer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Portmeirion Pottery
ISBN: 9781782001126
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

A new introduction for 2011 that has proved successful, especially in North America, has been a set of measuring spoons for the kitchen. The use of lime green in presentation boxes has also been a commercial success, setting off the botanical designs very well.

John Cuffley designed ‘Phoenix’, which proved to be a very popular coffee-set design from its launch in 1968 right through to 1983.

PORTMEIRION POTTERY 1970–90

THE BLISTERING SUCCESS of ‘Botanic Garden’ did not mean that the rest of the factory’s production could be neglected. If ‘Botanic Garden’ made up 40 per cent of production, the other 60 per cent still had to be competitive and turn a profit.

John Cuffley came on board as Susan’s assistant in 1969, having answered a newspaper advertisement. Originally a jazz drummer, he had no formal background in design, yet his careful drawing and calligraphy provided an important foil to Susan’s repertoire. Upon his appointment he moved into the flat above the old offices in Kirkham Street, part of the factory complex. His early designs for Portmeirion began with the ‘Phoenix’ coffee set applied to the ‘Cylinder’ shape. The phoenix arose in gold on a black background, and from its launch in 1968 was immensely popular; it was available until 1983.

Another bestseller was the ‘Zodiac’ series, also introduced in 1968. Mugs carried each of the twelve signs of the zodiac, most often in gold on a matt black background, using the ‘Cylinder’ shape, or the later ‘Imperial’ mug with a heavily shaped and turned handle, probably inspired by Kirkham’s apothecary wares. There was some doubt as to whether shops would stock all twelve zodiac designs, but they proved popular and ran from 1969 to 1983. The finely drawn zodiac figure on the face of the mugs or plates and bottles was accompanied by a delicate penned detail of the personal characteristics associated with each star sign on the reverse. Susan had some ambitions to expand the range with a coloured background reflecting the gem associated with each star sign, but this elaboration proved unnecessary from a commercial point of view.

In 1969 Portmeirion purchased a screen-printing machine that would print directly onto the wares, including the curved surfaces of mugs and bottles. This was much better than transfer printing for small orders, as a silk screen for a small production run was less expensive. Black or gold was used and there was a huge number of designs, commemorating great national events as well as lesser ones, with the customers even providing their own artwork.

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