What Is Cornish Blue Pottery?

Around the UK and Ireland, we have always had a proud tradition of regional styles of pottery each with their own distinctive looks. One example of this is the Cornish Blue range, also known as Cornishware. But what is the type of pottery and is it still available?

History Of The Style
Despite its name, Cornish Blue pottery didn’t originate in Cornwall but was said to be inspired by the blue sky and seas of the area. It was originally produced by a company called TG Green & Co who were founded by Thomas Goodwin Green. Green was from Boston, Lincolnshire and had been living in Australia where he had made a fortune, before returning to the UK. He married Mary Tenniel, the sister of Sir John Tenniel, famous for illustrating Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland among other books.

Green bought an existing pottery business in Church Gresley while honeymooning in Scarborough and began making pottery. In 1919, a general manager came to the business called Frederick Parker and he was the one credited with the original idea of blue banded wares, which were known as E-Blue Banded Wares originally.
The pottery started being sold in shops in 1922 and the following year, the name was changed to Cornishware. The blue and white banded pottery continued to gain popularity and it was soon being exported as well as being sold around the UK.

Types Of Cornish Blue Pottery
Apart from the distinctive look of the pottery, it quickly became popular because the company produced a wide range of items. There were lettered jars for flour, sugar, salt, tea and coffee as well as ingredients such as currants, sultanas and raisins. You could even order customised wording on your jars for things such as thyme, paprika or macaroni via a slip that was sent to the factory.

In addition to the E-blue range, standing for electric blue, Cornishware also introduced a new Sunlit Yellow range in 1959. This was followed by a new look to the pieces that was designed by Scandinavian designer Berit Ternell and Judith Onions, both from the Royal College of Art.

Rebirth Of The Brand
Sadly, the original Church Gresley factory closed in 2007 but three people got together to save the brand. Designer Perry Haydn Taylor worked with investors Charles Rickards and Paul Burston to save Cornish Blue pottery and there is now a range of products available including all new colours in addition to the traditional blue and white.
The range includes all the best modern items including teapots in different designers, bowls, mugs, storage jars and even cake stands. It is possible to completely fill your kitchen with the distinctive look, right down to flower jars and even a matching apron!

Original pieces of the Cornishware is also highly collectible and one collector, Iain M Hambling is the Official Historian and Archivist for the brand. He now runs the Archive Office at the site of the original factory and runs an online virtual museum for those interesting in knowing more about Cornish blue pottery and its history.
Visit our dedicated Cornish Blue page to find out more.