A brief summary of some of the most popular UK manufacturers of ceramic coffee pots of the 1960s
Midwinter Pottery
The Midwinter Pottery was founded in 1910 in Burslem, Staffordshire by William Robinson Midwinter. When his son, Roy joined the business in 1946 he revolutionized British tableware with new, innovative designs from young up and coming designers. Among these were Terence Conran, Hugh Casson, Barbara Brown and considered to be the most important of the new designers, Jessie Tait. During the 1950s Midwinter was one of the leading producers of stylish tableware, production was aimed at the younger market and affordable modern shapes and patterns were introduced that distanced themselves from the post war austerity. The company built a successful international reputation at this time and the theme of new, young and vibrant design continued through the 1950s and into the 60s. The company went from strength to strength with Op Art, Geometrical Shapes, Flower-Power and Psychedelic patterns dominating its designs. Unfortunately due to financial pressures Midwinter was taken over by J & G Meakin in 1968. Today vintage Midwinter tableware and coffee pots are highly sought after, especially pieces made by Jessie Tait and Terence Conran.
J & G Meakin Pottery
James Meakin established a Pottery at Hanley, Staffordshire in 1851; the firm was later taken over by his sons James & George and became J & G Meakin. The launch of the fashionable 'Studio' shape tableware in 1964 increased the company's popularity. The shape which was designed by Tom Arnold was tall and slender; not unlike the 'Cylinder' shape created by Portmeirion. The shape was hugely successful and was produced in a large variety of brightly coloured designs which reflected the shifting tastes in 60's fashion and design. Today these retro vintage coffee pots are major collectables because of their shape which display well and the wide variety of colourful patterns evocative of the changing styles of the period. When Meakin took over the Midwinter pottery in 1968 they inherited their top designer Jessie Tait. This proved highly successful for Meakin as Tait went on to design one of their most popular ranges of the period; Inca.
Portmeirion Pottery
The Portmeirion pottery was established by Susan Williams Ellis in 1960 when she took over the former Grays pottery of Hanley, Staffordshire. She named the pottery after the Italianate village of Portmeirion designed by her father Clough Williams Ellis. The 'Cylinder' shape designed by her and launched in 1962 was extremely fashionable and popular at the time. The tall, straight design was an immediate success and helped to forge Portmeirion Pottery as a style leader. Perhaps the most popular of the cylinder shape was the Totem pattern; produced in 1963. At the time the cylinder shape was thought to be impractical because of its slender shape, however consumers loved the design as much for its elegant, decorative appeal as its usefulness. Portmeirion coffee pots in the 'Cylinder' shape are in my view the most beautiful of the period. If you choose to start collecting 1960s coffee pots then you really must have a Portmeirion 'Cylinder' shape pot amongst your collection; they are truly a design classic.
These manufacturers produced some of the most popular coffee pots and tableware designs of the decade. Their output reflects the style revolution of the 1960s, and the ceramic manufacturers need to keep up with the diversity and changing lifestyles of its consumers. From abstract geometric patterns to flower power styles and psychedelia, manufacturers produced coffee pots and tableware to cater for the multi faceted fashion cycle of the 1960s.
Gaynor Brown is the Author of this article and runs Fanny's Vintage Kitchenalia in the UK. To find vintage, retro and antique home decor, collectibles, tableware, linen, cutlery and flatware and kitchenalia browse through our store. For more information on this article go to http://www.fannysvintagekitchenalia.com/index.php?p=1_229
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