London’s Vintage Festival features a brilliant array of Vintage and Retro music, fashion, film, art, design and a Vintage market with over 200 vendors for fashion, accessories and furniture from the 20s to the 80s.
Meakin ‘Inca’ Platter
My favourite Meakin pattern. The ‘Inca’ pattern was designed by Jessie Tait. Continue reading
Steuler ‘Zyklon’ Vase
My first piece of West German Pottery (WGP) and I’m officially hooked. WGP from the 50s, 60s and 70s is now hugely popular after being dismissed as to garish and tacky for decades. Rare and unusual pieces fetch prices well in the £100s. Continue reading
Cooking with Tfl
The iconic orange and brown block pattern dominated London transport on both, buses and tubes through the 1970s and 1980s. It was originally designed by Misha Black in 1978. A collection of kitchen and home accessories has been recommissioned by Tfl. Continue reading
‘Maori’ Coffee Pot
‘Maori’ coffee pot in Meakin’s staple shape ‘Studio’, designed by Tom Arnold in 1964. Perhaps reflecting a taste for the exotic that was typical of the 60s, his particular example is a stylised interpretation of the traditional colour palette and patterns of traditional Maori designs. Continue reading
Gravy Boat ‘Kontiki’
Gravy boat designed by Kathie Winkle, the pattern name on the backstamp reads ‘Kontiki’. Few designers in the 60s and 70s created such a wealth of abstract and stylised patterns as Kathie Winkle. Continue reading
Johnson Bros Tureen
Vegetable tureen produced ca. 1960 by Johnson Bros. The shape is reminiscent to Meakin, the pattern contemporary brown retro print design.
Johnson Brothers were set up by the break away grandsons from the Meakin dynasty in 1882. In 1968 they joined Wedgwood.
Unearthed at a car boot sale in East London for £4
Melaware
In the 1950s and early 1960s it seemed that melamine tableware might replace traditional ceramics in the dining room, as well as for picnics. These plastic imposters were made from melamine formaldehyde. It was tough, the manufacturers claimed, almost unbreakable. This bright and colourful number is made by Melaware probably 60s or 70s.
Bargain: Camden Market for £5
Crown Ducal Tureen
This Art Deco tureen manufactured by Crown Ducal found it’s way into our kitchen from a second hand furniture shop on Mansfield Road, North London.
Bargain: £4 from down the road
Hornsea Tea Jar
Tea storage jar in ‘Heirloom’ by Hornsea. The pattern was designed by John Clappison and produced from 1967 to 1987 in Autumn Brown, Midnight Blue and Lakeland Green. It proved a massive success and for several years ‘Heirloom’ became the mainstay of Hornsea pottery. ‘Heirloom’ is still quite ubiquitous on antique markets and charity shops throughout the UK.
Bargain: £2 from a London charity shop
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