Tivoli | Rare 1964 Scandi-Graphic Design

Launched in early 1964, Tivoli was born from Susan’s travels to the iconic Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. The design is a masterclass in graphic repetition, utilising a dense grid of squares, circles, diamonds, and stars.

The Versatility of the Transfer

Similar to the Variations range, Tivoli was designed as a continuous "patterned sheet" transfer. This allowed the factory to cut the pattern down to fit any size or shape of pottery, from the flat expanse of a dinner plate to the tight curve of a milk jug, without losing the integrity of the geometric sequence.

The Battle of the Palette

The history of Tivoli is defined by a compromise between Susan’s bold artistic vision and the cautious commercial trends of the 1960's:

• The "Lost" Brights: Susan originally envisioned Tivoli in high-contrast "Pop" colourways: Pink & Blue, Violet & Grey, and Red & Orange. These prototypes are the "must haves" of the collection.

• The Commercial Launch: Persuaded by trade buyers that the market preferred softer tones, Susan launched the range in two more "subdued" mid-century palettes:

  • Blue and Brown

  • Turquoise and Olive Green

The Serif Shape

Tivoli was one of the primary ranges used to showcase Susan’s Serif shape. Characterised by its clean, upright lines and distinctive, slightly flared foot, the Serif shape was the more architectural cousin to the Cylinder range. The sharp geometry of the Tivoli pattern perfectly complemented these "New Wave" ceramic forms.

Collector’s Insight: The "Short Run" Rarity

Despite its critical acclaim and the attention it received from design admirers, Tivoli never achieved the mass-market sales of Totem. As a result, it was only produced for a few years.

• Scarcity: Because production stopped so quickly, finding complete sets in 2026 is extremely difficult.

• The "Graphic" Appeal: Today, Tivoli is more popular than ever among Scandi-Modern and Minimalist collectors who value the range's intellectual, structured look over the more common floral or rustic designs.

Looking for a rare Blue and Brown Tivoli plate? Browse our Tivoli archive here.