Corset Range | Rare 1960's 'Khiva' & 'Swanbill' Pottery

A standout feature of 1960's British design was the playful subversion of Victorian imagery. Following the success of her Chemist Prints, Susan Williams-Ellis began searching for new "light-hearted" motifs that would resonate with the Mod era. She found her inspiration in the archives of 19th-century women's fashion magazines—specifically, the bold, structural advertisements for whalebone corsets.

Whalebone Motifs: Khiva & Swanbill

Susan extracted both the intricate engravings and the charmingly formal descriptive text from these vintage ads. The most famous motifs in the collection include:

• The 'Khiva' Corset: A striking, structured design from the Victorian era.

• The 'Swanbill' Corset: Famous for its elegant silhouette.

• The Ladies Warehouse, Piccadilly: Many pieces include the original store address, adding a sense of historical London "cool" to the design.

Evolution of the Range

Initially launched in the 1960's, the design was printed in sharp black transfers on white earthenware.

• The 1960's: The designs appeared on the tall, architectural Serif-shaped coffee ware, mugs, and storage jars.

• The 1970's: Reflecting the era’s love for kitsch and "shabby chic" humour, the motifs were expanded onto chamber pots and jumbo cups, becoming iconic novelty items.

A Designer’s Conversation Piece

Today, the Corset range is highly prized by collectors of fashion history and graphic design. It is a perfect example of how Susan repurposed the Kirkham's manufacturing heritage to create something that felt entirely new. These pieces are increasingly difficult to find, particularly the larger dinner plates and the earlier Serif coffee pots.

Hunting for a 'Swanbill' or 'Khiva' original? View our Corset range here.