1882 Ceramics - Functional Art for the Home

1882 ceramics are stocked by our nearby chums at the Hauser & Wirth Gallery in delightful Bruton, Somerset. Considering some of the pieces created by 1882, much of what they produce wouldn't look out of place as exhibits (more later). As for some of the exhibits, well, eye of the beholder and all that.

Where's the transcendence?

This doesn't happen at H&A, which is genuinely a delightful space and has many wonderful exhibitions, but I often feel like I've been lectured after I've made a lap around a contemporary art gallery. Where's the transcendence? I'm here for transcendence not reprimands.

Resurgence of The Potteries

Let's return to 1882. What is 1882? 1882 is all about the continued resurgence of The Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent as a design-led ceramic powerhouse.

Formed by fourth and fifth-generation members of the famous Johnson Brothers pottery dynasty, 1882 designs and creates pieces that 'highlight the centuries of industrial heritage craft skills and knowledge that reside in the heart of the British ceramics industry, Stoke-on-Trent'.  1882 is the year that Johnson Brothers began producing ceramics in The Potteries. (What happened to the original Johnson Brothers? Terrifyingly, manufacturing of Johnson Brothers tableware was transferred to China in 2003 by owners Wedgwood. The result was the loss of one thousand jobs and a great name in British ceramics.)

Utilising their acquired knowledge and experience, 1882 strives to bring in the best designers to challenge their makers and 'test the bounds of the material' in their ceramic production processes.

Amongst others, 1882 has collaborated with the artists and designers Barnaby Barford, Max Lamb, Faye Toogood and Kiki van Eijk. In 2015, the V &A installed the Tower of Babel (below) — designed by Barnaby Barford — a tower of 3000 shops, each handmade by the craftsman at 1882. The shops were then sold by the V & A.

For the Home

Available for your home, you can turn up the dial from classic to full-on experimental collections of 1882 tableware.

Crockery with Max Lamb (top and below) is a collection of fine bone china made from hand-carved models and slip-cast in moulds with a biscuit exterior and glazed interior. Little works of art.

For the purist, the timeless White with 1882 Ltd is designed by a Johnson — Chris Johnson. The collection is made in Stoke-on-Trent, England, from fine bone china.