Additionally the trademark “Kiln Craft” logo would have to be one of the most iconic pieces of Graphic Design from the 1970’s
Kiln Craft Bacchus – Tea Cup
Kiln Craft Bacchus Stamp
Kiln Craft was produced by Staffordshire Potteries Ltd., which grew out of the Keele Street Pottery Group. In the 1950s they were producers of utilitarian white cups, and dinner wares.
During the 1960s and 1970s the company concentrated on the production of mugs as well.
Kiln Craft Bacchus Ramekin Bowl
Kiln Craft Bacchus Bowl
The Kilncraft brand name was introduced in 1972 and introduced a new range of modern shapes, colours and surface decorations, such as the Bramble and Bacchus ranges.
This range was so successful that the name and trade mark was adopted as the corporate symbol for Staffordshire Potteries Ltd.
Kiln Craft Bacchus Plate Design
Kiln Craft Bacchus Ramekin Bowl
Kiln Craft Bacchus Milk Jug
Kiln Craft Bacchus, Pattern Detail
In 1979 the company acquired Royal Winton and a new range of red stoneware ‘cook and serve’ dinner wares and cookwares was produced, specially designed for microwave ovens. However, by 1983, this range described as “rustic stoneware style”, had been abandoned in favour of more delicate, pastel colours of the eighties.
By 1985, Staffordshire Potteries were the largest manufacturers of mugs in the world, producing over 750,000 per week. In 1986 the company was taken over by Coloroll home furnishings Group of Manchester. In 1990 after a management buyout it was renamed Staffordshire Tableware, and the company failed a few years later I believe.
There was at least 1 well-known colour variation in the Bacchus design pictured below. I believe there were 3 colour variations in total – but they are very hard to find.
Kiln Craft Bacchus, Pattern Detail – Brown Variation – Image via NoNameCatVintage on Etsy
Image from the 1977 – City of Stoke-on-Trent Handbook
