Sunderland-Style Lustre | Early 1958 Souvenirs

The story of Portmeirion Pottery begins not in a factory, but in a small gift shop in North Wales. In 1953, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis tasked his daughter, Susan Williams-Ellis, and her husband Euan Cooper-Willis, with running the Portmeirion Village shop. By 1958, frustrated by the lack of unique merchandise, Susan began commissioning her own exclusive souvenirs—the legendary Sunderland-style lustre ware.

The "Splattered" Technique: Artistic Chaos

Susan’s Sunderland-style glaze was a deliberate revival of 19th-century "Splash Lustre." The process was famously messy and artistic:

1. The Base: A purple or pink glaze was brushed onto the pottery.

2. The Reaction: While still drying, turpentine was flicked onto the glaze. The chemical reaction caused the glaze to separate and "crackle," creating a random, splattered effect.

3. The Finishing Touch: The piece was then covered in a gold lustre glaze and fired, resulting in a sumptuous, coppery-gold finish that varies in pattern on every single item.

Early Motifs & The Gray’s Connection

Because Susan did not yet own her own pottery, these early pieces were produced by A.E. Gray & Co. (Gray’s Pottery).

• The Backstamps: Most early items bear the yellow Gray's backstamp. After Susan purchased the company in 1961, the mark transitioned to "Portmeirion Ware."

• The Illustrations: Initial designs featured traditional black-and-white engravings of Welsh Ladies and local scenes, later expanding to nautical ships and compasses.

• Susan's Hand-Drawn Designs: Perhaps the most desirable pieces are those featuring Susan’s personal illustrations of shells and fish, marking the very first appearance of the marine themes that would define her career.

A Rare "Cabinet" Collectable

Originally sold in the Portmeirion Village and Susan’s London shop on Pont Street, these items were produced in small batches. The range included everything from tea caddies and pin dishes to rare teapots and bowls. Due to the high-maintenance lustre and the small production numbers, "mint" pieces are exceptionally rare and command significant prices at auction.

Seeking the ultimate piece of Portmeirion history? View our Sunderland-Style Lustre archive here.