Portmeirion creates collectible favorites

Based in England, Portmeirion makes some of the worlds favorite high quality stoneware and china. A design based on botanical drawings of flowers, the Botanic Garden dinnerware pattern, is loved by collectors worldwide. Other customer favorites include fruit-filled Pomona and for Christmas, The Holly and The Ivy. A recent addition is a modern line of ridged porcelain called Sophie Conran for Portmeirion by renowned British chef Sophie Conran.

Luncheon and tea sets, created in fine china, range from the traditional floral Botanic Blue and Rose Bouquet, to the eye-popping Eden Fruits, to the fun Crazy Daisy. Don't miss the whimsical patterns by artist Laura Stoddart including A Fine Romance and Up The Garden Path. Portmeirion offers a full line of table accessories and serving dishes, as well as Oven-to-Table baking dishes.

Finish off your table setting with a matching set of placemats, coasters and trays in the Portmeirion designs. European Tableware is an authorized dealer of Portmeirion and is happy to take special orders.

The Portmeirion Story

In 1960 and 1961, artist Susan Williams-Ellis and her husband, Euan Cooper-Willis purchased a small pottery decorating company and a pottery manufacturer in Stoke-on-Trent. Susan had been designing pottery decoration and now was able to design the shapes as well.

By the early 1970's Susan Williams-Ellis was looking for something new. A nineteenth century publication, discovered by chance, was thus adapted and became Botanic Garden. It became one of the world's biggest selling tableware patterns and still accounts for half of the company's turnover. Portmeirion's Holly & the Ivy was designed by Susan and her daughter Anwyl Cooper-Willis. Portmeirion's other designs include the popular fruit pattern Pomona, launched in 1982. Recent introductions have been launched to rave reviews.

Today, Portmeirion markets and manufactures an extensive range of high quality tableware, bakeware and giftware. Its product ranges include ceramics, glassware, textiles, placemats, trays, candles and jewelry.

The village called Portmeirion in North Wales was developed by Susan's father, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. The architect opened Portmeirion in 1926 to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it.