Monte Sol & Marrakesh | From Ibiza to Morocco

The story of Monte Sol is one of pure, unforced inspiration. While holidaying in Ibiza in the mid-1960's, Susan Williams-Ellis found herself captivated by the "Moorish" architecture and vibrant colours of the Mediterranean. Using only the felt-tip pens she had on hand at breakfast, she doodled a paisley-inspired motif featuring rosettes and crowns.

The Original: Monte Sol (1965)

The original breakfast doodles were so complete in their vision that they were barely altered when adapted for production in 1965.

• The Palette: The design was initially released in two iconic "mod" colourways: Green/Blue and Turquoise/Lilac.

• The Shapes: While produced as coffee sets on the elegant Serif shape, the pattern found its greatest success on kitchenware, particularly storage and spice jars.

• The Aesthetic: The hand-drawn felt-tip lines gave the pattern a soft, bleeding edge that felt less formal and more artistic than traditional engraved patterns.

The Rebirth: Marrakesh (1970)

Though Monte Sol was briefly discontinued in the late 60's, Susan recognised that the design’s "Eastern" influence was ahead of its time. In 1970, the pattern was "revamped" and rebranded for a new decade:

• The Citron Glaze: The motifs were reprinted on a striking Citron (deep lime green) glaze.

• Marrakesh: Renamed to evoke the spice markets and vibrant culture of North Africa, this version capitalised on the "Hippie Chic" and "Global Nomad" trends of the early 70's.

Collector’s Note: Spotting the Difference

For collectors in 2026, finding an original Monte Sol in the lilac colourway is a high-priority task. Because the "Marrakesh" version utilised a more saturated glaze, the original 1965 pieces have a lighter, more ethereal quality. Both ranges are considered essential for anyone documenting Susan’s "Travel-Inspired" era.

Seeking a rare Turquoise Monte Sol or a Citron Marrakesh piece? Browse our Monte Sol collection here.