Talisman | 1962 Geometric Screen Print

Launched in 1962, Talisman was one of the first Portmeirion ranges to utilize the then-cutting-edge technique of screen printing. Susan Williams-Ellis used this new medium to showcase her "loose and energetic" signature style, creating a pattern that felt vibrantly modern and "trendy" for the emerging 1960's youth culture.

The Design: Circles, Squares, and Dots

Talisman is a rhythmic explosion of shapes. The central motifs consist of loosely drawn circles, squares, and rectangles, while the rims and borders are anchored by a distinctive repeat pattern of dots. This combination gave the range a playful, hand-drawn feel despite being a mass-produced screen print.

The Evolution of Colour

The history of Talisman is a journey through the changing manufacturing processes of the 1960's:

• The "Hand-Painted" Era (Early 1960's): The very first coloured items were produced by applying bright glazes by hand over a black transfer print. These pieces have a unique, watercolour-like depth.

• The "Monochrome" Rarity: In a bid to offer a more affordable line, some early pieces were left uncoloured (black on white). These were produced in very small numbers and are now high-value targets for collectors who prefer a minimalist aesthetic.

• The "Coloured Transfer" Era (Mid-1960's): As demand grew, the labour-intensive hand-painting was phased out in favour of coloured transfers, ensuring a more uniform look across the three main colourways:

• Green & Blue (Cool and architectural)

• Yellow & Orange (Warm and sun-drenched)

• Pink & Purple (Bold and avant-garde)

Collector’s Insight: The Texture of the Transfer

In 2026, Talisman is highly prized by collectors of "Graphic" mid-century modernism.

• The "Hand-Coloured" Premium: If you find a piece where the colour slightly "bleeds" outside the black lines or shows varied brushstrokes, you likely have one of the early hand-painted versions, which command a higher price.

• Short Production Window: Because the range was discontinued in 1968 to make way for the more sculptural ranges like Totem, finding complete sets—especially the monochrome black and white pieces—is a significant challenge.

  
  Looking for a rare hand-painted Talisman storage jar? Browse our Talisman archive here.