Magpie x Hornsea | Cyanide 'What's your Poison' Jar

Cobalt blue glazed stoneware with real gold plating.

Based on the original 1975 Poison mug series designed by John Clappison.

12.5cm tall, 8.5cm diameter

HAND WASH ONLY 

Hornsea Potteries was founded in 1949 by brothers Colin and Desmond Rawson. Driven by a wide array of design influences, the pottery quickly grew from being a purveyor of seaside tourist trinkets to the largest studio pottery in the world, employing over 700 people.

This growth was driven in large part by the talent of John Clappison. A butcher’s son from Hull, he studied at Hull college and gained a national diploma in design, specialising in ceramics. His dad sold his butchers shop and invested in his friends’ then fledging Hornsea Potteries, and John started designing for the company.

Hornsea arranged for John to attend the RCA in London for a year, but he felt he learned more about design visiting Heals department store and the V&A. On his return he developed superb designs, and groundbreaking new pottery manufacturing techniques. It was his mission to improve the quality of design and production for the mass market.  Hornsea designs sold in their millions. His intention realised…

On leaving Hornsea he became chief designer for Ravenhead Glass in Lancashire, where his designs again, sold in the millions.

In collaboration with mid-century fans Magpie, Hornsea have licensed reproduction of John Clappison’s designs on a range of ceramics in cheerful colours in celebration of his far-reaching impact on British design and manufacture.