Just an hour south of Manchester, England, lies Stoke-on-Trent. It is the site of a once-flourishing pottery industry, dating back to the 17th century, in recognition of which the former borough was granted city status in 1925. Although a number of heritage potteries have shut down in recent years, the connection to ceramic production is still a point of pride for Stoke-on-Trent, which is taking the occasion of its 100th anniversary as a city to reflect on that legacy. To honor this milestone, ceramics brand and 1stDibs seller 1882 Ltd. has curated a show titled “100 Years, 61 Designers, 1 Future,” on view at Stoke-on-Trent’s Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. The 61 plates featured in the exhibition, each by a different designer, will also be auctioned online.
1882 Ltd. is known for its industry-crossing roster of collaborators, including fashion designer Paul Smith and design-world stars Faye Toogood, who created the Indigo Storm line, and Max Lamb, who conceived the Crockery White line. Those contributing pieces to the show are similarly diverse, encompassing Stoke-on-Trent native musician Robbie Williams; Shona Heath, the Oscar-winning production designer of Poor Things; artists Barnaby Barford and Bruce McLean; and architect John Pawson.
Winning bidders won’t know who designed their plate until after bidding closes, adding to the suspense of the auction process. Fifteen percent of the sales proceeds will go to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust to fund opportunities for children to work and play with clay. The rest will be used to develop an 1882 Ltd. apprenticeship program seeking to ensure Stoke-on-Trent’s continuing significance as a pottery-making center.
