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

Code: 10405

Dimensions:

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"London Prints" was a range originally made by Gray's Pottery which Susan Williams-Ellis continued with after she purchased the factory in 1960 to form "Portmeirion".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.