Rare Moss Agate Pattern Portmeirion Goblet

This little and exceptionally rare goblet is the result of an experimental design produced at the Gray's Pottery between 1959 and 1960.

Susan Williams-Ellis's was the creator responsible basing the design on the gemstone 'Moss Agate’.

The design consists of a background pattern upon which individual etched illustrations of cameos are randomly scattered . 

After engraving the pattern onto copper, an inked transfer was produced which was then laid on the surface of the ceramic. 

This process is much simpler when the surface is either flat or cylindrical.  In the case of this vase the surface is conical which causes its own complications.

Next 22 carat gold lustre was applied to the cameos and the whole piece fired again in a lustre firing.

This process is long and complicated and as a consequence is time consuming and very expensive.  Although the design its self was a success technically and aesthetically, economically it was just too expensive to produce in quantity and never went into commercial production.

A few kiln firings were produced and most of the resulting pieces were given to friends and family and people close to the factory.

Consequently any items in this early and exceptional pattern are rarely available and considered the rarest and most precious examples of Portmeirion pottery and Ellis’s ground breaking work and alway sell at a premium.

Makers marks:
Original factory label still attached

Dimensions:
112 mm tall

Weight:
165 g

Age:
1959-60

Condition:
Excellent condition.  Some fine crazing to the glaze on the inside

Maker:
Gray's Pottery designed by Susan Williams-Ellis