coffee service

Portmeirion Pottery 1960

Summary

Coffee pot, milk jug, sugar bowl, and six cups and saucers, earthenware, with brown glaze over a relief moulded pattern called "Totem". Body shapes of all the hollow ware are straight and cylindrical. Coffee pot is very tall with long tapering spout and an angular handle, both extending from the foot to the rim of the vessel. Lid has a conical peak with a round finial. Milk jug is a similar shape but with an integral pointed spout. Handles of cups and jug mirror the angular shape of the handle on the coffee pot. Saucer also has angular contours. Moulded design on the vessels of columns of abstract totemic motifs. Pattern on the cups and bowl is on a larger scale than on the jug and coffee pot. The coffee pot, milk jug, sugar bowl, cup and saucer are on display.

Display Label

Totem coffee service Designed by Susan Williams-Ellis 1963 Manufactured by Portmeirion Pottery 1962-1969 Earthenware, with moulded pattern and coloured glaze The launch of the elegant and angular Totem range had a major impact on the Staffordshire potteries. Its sharp, elongated shape and textural surface, challenged other manufacturers to be more daring with their designs for mass produced ceramics. Susan Williams-Ellis and her husband Euan took over the traditional Grays Pottery in 1959, renaming it Portmeirion, and revamping its image. Gift of Lesley Jackson 1989.153/15