1882 Ltd Review: Design-Led Disruption
For a long time, "Bone China" meant tea sets for your aunt. Then came 1882 Ltd.
Founded in 2011 by Emily Johnson and her father Christopher, the name references the year her great-great-grandfather brothers began potting in Stoke. But this is not a nostalgia trip. This is disruption.
The Model: Art Meets Industry
Rather than employing in-house designers to make floral cups, 1882 Ltd commissions world-class industrial designers, artists, and architects.
- Max Lamb
- Faye Toogood
- John Pawson
- Snarkitecture
They give these designers free rein in the Stoke factories. The result is ceramics that push the material to its absolute limit.
The "Crockery" Series by Max Lamb
This is their icon. Max Lamb took a block of plaster and chiseled it like stone. He then made a mold of the rough, rocky texture. He cast fine white bone china into this rough mold. The result is a jug that looks like a piece of flint from the outside (rough, textured) but is glazed and smooth on the inside. It is a tactile masterpiece.
The Verdict
1882 Ltd is saving the industry by making it relevant to the Dezeen generation. It proves that you can make something in Stoke-on-Trent that looks like it belongs in the MoMA design store (and it often is).
Pros:
- Incredible, sculptural designs.
- Keeps skilled mold-makers employed in Stoke.
- High art at accessible prices (mugs start at £25).
Cons:
- Some designs are "Form over Function" (hard to clean).
- Limited runs often sell out.
Related: Moorcroft Review | Stoke-on-Trent Renaissance