Yellow Portmeirion ‘Samarkand’ Lidded Storage Jar by Susan Williams-Ellis, England, 1960s

Portmeirion ‘Samarkand’ Lidded Storage Jar by Susan Williams-Ellis, England, 1960s

A striking ceramic storage jar produced by Portmeirion Pottery and decorated in the distinctive Samarcand pattern. Designed during the 1960s by Susan Williams‑Ellis, the decoration reflects the bold graphic language that made Portmeirion one of the most recognisable names in British ceramics.

The jar features a lively arrangement of stylised suns, crescents and geometric motifs in warm tones of ochre, brown and mustard set against a white ground. The lid is finished with a small knop decorated with a matching sun motif, creating a pleasing continuity across the piece.

Stamped to the underside “Portmeirion Pottery, Stoke - Susan Williams-Ellis - Made in England - Samarkand”, confirming its maker and pattern.

Originally designed as part of a modern kitchen range, the jar works beautifully today for storing sugar, coffee or spices, or simply as a decorative object on an open shelf.

Dimensions
Height: 11 cm
Diameter: 9 cm

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Designer: Susan Williams-Ellis

Susan Williams-Ellis (1918–2007) was one of the most influential British ceramic designers of the twentieth century and the founder of Portmeirion Pottery. The daughter of architect Clough Williams‑Ellis, she established the company in 1960 with the aim of producing ceramics that combined strong graphic decoration with practical everyday forms. Her designs drew inspiration from architecture, nature and international decorative traditions. Ranges such as Samarkand, Totem and later Botanic Garden helped define the look of modern British tableware during the mid-century period and remain highly recognisable today.