Portmeirion Shells Lidded Apothecary Jar. Extremely Rare, MI 178
Portmeirion

Portmeirion Shells Lidded Apothecary Jar. Extremely Rare.

A 24 ounce sized apothecary jar designed by Susan Williams-Ellis in 1963, with 22ct gold decorative gilding.

This jar looks great on display. The jar has the Portmeirion Pottery backstamp.

Examples of this design are becoming very hard to find so don't miss this one!

Approx Dimensions :-  

8.25 in (21 cm) to top of lid knob

4.75 in (12.5 cm) base diam 

Pink Seashells

Susan Williams-Ellis designed a collection of shell illustrations in the late 1950's, in her very own inimitable style of course. The designs included shells, fish and a crab, all executed in a range of sizes to accomodate various items of ware, both large and small, mostly executed as black and white engraved prints. However, during 1963-65 she produced a range of bathroom wares bearing another colour study of shells and seaweeds. This fabulous motif was screen printed in greens and pinks and was accompnaied by either pale pink or gilded banding. Only small quantities were ever made and were possibly sold exclusively to Liberty of London in the UK and then more extensively to the USA. The range of items was small and included an apothecary jar, dome lidded pot, cologne bottle and talc sifter. The motif is beatifully executed and due the limited production run makes it one of the rarer ranges from Portmeirion.

Apothecary Jars

These wonderful lidded Apothecary jars were originally made by the Kirkham's Pottery which was bought by Susan Williams-Ellis and her husband in 1961. Kirkham's held a vast array of antique moulds, some of which had used to make items for Gray's Pottery.
Now under the umbrella name of Portmeirion Pottery, Susan continued to produce the apothecary jars, which are hand turned on a lathe, with her more modern designs. Now re-purposed as kitchen storage jars and bathroom and dressing table ware, they became far more useful, as they still are. The jars often had bright coloured banding, hand applied by talented paintresses, giving them a modern feel. In an inspired move Susan often added bright, real 22ct gold banding on the jars and lids, giving them a distinguished appeal, bringing a touch of decadence to the modern 1960's kitchen.