Tiger Lily | Rare 1961 Folk Art Floral

Launched in 1961, Tiger Lily holds the distinction of being Susan Williams-Ellis’s first full-coloured floral motif. It represents a moment of pure creative joy, where Susan moved away from the more restrained, academic engravings of the 1950's and embraced the bold, saturated colours of the burgeoning "Mod" era.

Inspiration: The Narrowboat Aesthetic

Susan was famously fond of this pattern throughout her life, largely because it drew on the traditional British Canal Folk Art (often called "Roses and Castles").

• The Technique: The stylised nature of narrowboat art was perfectly suited to the silk screen printing technique Susan was pioneering at the factory.

• The Motif: The design features striking orange and brown lilies paired with romantic pink roses, nestled in lush green foliage.

• The Banding: To complete the "pop" aesthetic, pieces were finished with vibrant rings of yellow, turquoise, or pink banding.

The "Kirkham" Connection

Because Portmeirion was in its infancy during the production of Tiger Lily, the range was produced using "white ware" shapes that were already commercially available.

• Kitchen Heritage: Many of the storage jars and kitchen items were sourced directly from the Kirkham’s inventory (the factory Portmeirion eventually took over).

• Bold Typography: In keeping with the functional kitchen style of the time, many storage pieces featured heavy block lettering for essentials like Tea, Coffee, Sugar, and Flour.

Collector’s Insight: The Rarity of the Sixties

Tiger Lily was only produced until the mid-1960's, making it one of the more elusive ranges for 2026 collectors.

• Condition is Key: Because these were functional "kitchen" items from the early 60's, they often saw heavy use. Finding pieces where the vibrant orange and pink screen-print hasn't faded or scratched is a significant win.

• The "Hippy" Factor: For many, this range is the ultimate "shelf" item for a retro kitchen. It pairs beautifully with natural wood and mid-century teak furniture.

Searching for a rare "Sugar" jar with turquoise banding? Browse our Tiger Lily archive here.