Portmeirion "London Prints" ("St Paul's Cathedral") Cigarette Box

Portmeirion "London Prints" ("St Paul's Cathedral") Cigarette or Trinkett Box
Stoneware pottery with transfer printed design
Black and gold glazed, black glzed box base
Printed mark beneath the lid
Stoke-On-Trent
Staffordshire, England
Circa Early-1960's

Dimensions (approx): 13cm (5 in) x 11cm (4.25 in) x 5cm (2 in)

"London Prints" was a range originally made by Gray's Pottery which Susan Williams-Ellis continued with after she purchased the factory in 1960 to form "Portmeirion".  The "London Prints" items were still being advertised in 1964 but a short while later these where discontinued.

The traditional prints used as the basis of these items are given a modern slant when twinned with bold glazes (here black and gold are used). There are many parralels between the fun and frivolity of the cermic items designed by Susan Williams-Ellis (1918-2007) for "Portmeirion" and items made in the 1960's by her near contemporary Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988).

Good condition. Slight rubbing to the gold in places.