Sussex Lustreware – Follow us on Instagram

A love of old lustre ware inspired us to make it anew.

Lustre decorated pottery is part of our heritage. It is as at-home on the dresser or mantelshelf as Staffordshire spaniels. The colourful arrangement of mottoes, poems, images and dedications brings charm and character to any room – and smiles to the faces of those who receive them.

Some of the designs we produce are based on C19 originals, while others are our own. They all continue the Sunderland lustre tradition of celebrating popular art and folk culture, social, local and political history, community, customs and – most of all – love.

They tell us stories about who we are, what we value, and who we cherish, both in our own lives and collectively. They connect us to those who went before us, from the alchemists of the Persian cradle of lustre ceramic decoration a thousand years ago, through the English potters of the industrial revolution, to the artist-collectors of the mid-twentieth century who recognised them for the treasure they are.

And they connect us to those we give them to, whether as rallying cries or tokens of affection. Personalised with names and dates they are a thoughtful and joyous way to celebrate special occasions and relationships. Filled with flowers they make the heart sing.

Made from earthenware, here in the UK, our pots are slip cast and hand decorated in ways little changed over the centuries, while their firing with green electricity makes them modern.

If you are visiting Lewes, we are stocked at the Tom Paine Press and Gallery at 151 High Street.

We hope our pots make you happy!