Gold Lion | Rare 1962 Black & Gold Design

Launched in 1962, Gold Lion is one of Susan Williams-Ellis’s most expressive and "arty" designs. Eschewing the rigid lines of traditional crests, Susan created a loosely drawn, almost sketch-like lion that perfectly captured the creative energy of the early 1960's.

The Two Faces of the Lion

The design is characterised by two distinct formats, often paired together on coffee sets and tankards:

• The Small Lion: A younger, nimble figure facing right.

• The Mature Lion: A larger, more stately figure facing left.

Originally beginning as trial pieces, the design was so well-received that it stayed in production for nearly a decade. However, it was never mass-produced on the scale of Totem or Botanic Garden, making it a rare find for modern collectors.

Early Luxury vs. Later Minimalism

The production of Gold Lion evolved significantly over its ten-year run:

• The Early Era (The 1960's): Early coffee sets were incredibly lavish. These pieces featured heavy hand-painted gilding that ran the entire length of the long spout, the handle, and across the lid, with coffee cups finished with thick gold rims.

• The Later Era (The 1970's): As production costs rose and styles shifted toward the "earthenware" look, the extra gilding was dropped. During this period, the black and gold lion was sometimes applied to brown or white matt glazed items, giving the design a more understated, modernist feel.

• Identifying an Authentic Lion

  Because the design was applied to several shapes, including Imperial Tankards, Cylinder coffee sets, and Tea sets, collectors look for the quality of the line-work. The "loose" drawing style is intentional—if the lines look too perfect or mechanical, it may not be an original Williams-Ellis transfer.

  Looking for a lavish early-spout coffee pot? Browse our Gold Lion archive here.