C20Ceramics

May 19

Denby Potter’s Wheel

Denby "POTTERS WHEEL" was designed by David Yorath, 1973.

The forms for this dinnerware were actually designed by Gill Pemberton in her Bokhara series, and given a new life with David's pattern & colours.

Beswick Zorba 1960s

The pattern “Zorba” was designed by Graham Tongue in the late 1960’s at Beswick.

It also comes in a pale Olive Green colour, but this “mission brown” colour brings out the pattern much better I think. I like the shapes of the pieces in this range too – especially the cups.

Beswick also made some other great retro designs during this period including “Apollo” and “Orbit” – All very space age retro.

Royal Doulton took over the Beswick factory in 1969 and in 1975 Graham Tongue became the head modeller at the Beswick and added many new characters to their range of Figurines in the 1980’s.

The Beswick factory closed in 2003 and much of the Royal Doulton production was moved overseas, because it was no longer commercially viable.

Beswick Zorba

Beswick Zorba Coffee Pot

Beswick Zorba

Royal Doulton Basque

This oh so seventies looking design was produced at the Lambeth factory of Doulton between 1974 and 1981.

Going by the number of pieces from the set for sale on various online shops still, it must have been a very popular pattern.

Its easy to see the design is classic seventies even without knowing much about it.

It has the loveliest dark chocolate brown coloured glaze- a colour often called “mission brown” in its day when it was often used as a paint trim colour in houses.

The design consists of a subtle design of country flowers in a basket. The glaze has a great sheen and smoothness to it as well.
I like the shape of the pieces too, solid but with rounded edges and with nice proportions – quintessentially British.

Being stoneware it is very tough as well. I have seen photographs of several other patterns by Doulton using this form as well, but Basque stands out from the others.