I am thrilled to introduce Cirrus, my new collection of dishes for the table. It is being manufactured by 1882 Ltd., the innovative factory in historic Stoke on Trent, England.
About the Collection
The white creamware dishes are light and simple but sturdy, their transparent finish as airy as clouds. They are designed for everyday use. When I contemplated this new venture, I searched for a factory that would allow me to throw the originals, so that my hand would still be evident in the work. I wanted the collection to complement my handmade studio work.
Emily Johnson and her father, Christopher Johnson, represent the fourth and fifth generation of the Johnson manufacturing family in Stoke on Trent.
Inspiration
Cirrus is inspired by historic works I’ve admired for years:
- The dinner plate is an homage to a celadon plate in the Korean ceramic department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. I’ve long wished to make my own version of this beauty, as I am captivated by the proportion of the narrow rim to the wide body.
- The salad plate is a nod to the plate forms of the Song Dynasty; the dessert plate references Japanese stoneware.
- The soup and cereal bowls honor the set of Omega Workshop bowls that always mesmerize me at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
- The cup is a simple interpretation of a mug that I made in my earlier Pearl Collection, as this was a great favorite.
Design Process
I threw each shape for the Cirrus collection to create the prototypes for the molds. At 1882 Ltd. the forms were then hand-cast and finished in order to maintain the trace of my throwing lines. Each piece goes through at least 10 steps of production.
Quality and Durability
The creamware is of superlative quality and durability. It is the same clay body that I use in my hand-thrown white pots; all my pieces combine seamlessly. Each piece is dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Cirrus also blends wonderfully with my previous Pearl Collection.