Not currently on display at the V&A

Concept

Coffee Cup and Sacuer
1977 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Queensberry Hunt are the leading UK ceramic design practice of the post-war period. Formed in 1966 by david Queensberry, then Professor of Ceramics at the RCA, and his former student Martin hunt. the partnership have designed ceramics for major producers and retailers around the globe. these include Wedgwood, Hornsea, Rosenthal, Habitat, Crate and Barrel, John Lewis and Jamie Oliver. Their practice spans a period of immense change in the industry, brought about by the adoption of new technologies, and the shift in production towards East Asia. Working in an essentially modernist aesthetic, Queensberry Hunt have been responsible for some of the most familiar and best-selling tableware of recent decades.
This 'Concept' series was designed by Martin Hunt for Hornsea in 1977. In its crisp but subtle surface relief, 'Concept' exploited the design possibilities afforded by 'vibrating polishing' (vibrating the piece in a container loaded with ceamic pellets). This created smooth unglazed surfaces. Another critical and commercial success, 'Concept' won a Design Council Award in 1977.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Coffee Cup
  • Saucer
TitleConcept (series title)
Materials and techniques
Stoneware, glazed, polished
Brief description
'Concept', coffee cup and saucer, stoneware, designed by Martin Hunt, made by Hornsea Pottery Co. Ltd, Yorkshire, 1977.
Physical description
Stoneware coffee cup and saucer, cream coloured body, the surface has subtle surface relief decoration and a polished surface, achieved using 'vibratory polishing'. The inside of the piece is covered in a clear glaze.
Dimensions
  • Height: 5.2cm
  • Diameter: 13.3cm
Gallery label
‘Concept’ 1977 Designed by Martin Hunt Made by Hornsea Pottery Co. Ltd, Yorkshire Stoneware In its crisp but subtle surface relief, ‘Concept’ exploited the design possibilities afforded by ‘vibratory polishing’ (vibrating the piece in a container loaded with ceramic pellets). This created smooth unglazed surfaces. Another critical and commercial success, ‘Concept’ won a Design Council Award in 1977. Museum nos. C.207 to J-1977. Given by Given by Hornsea Pottery Co. Ltd. Additional items lent by Queensberry Hunt(2012)
Object history
'Concept' design qon a Design Council Award in 1977.
Exhibited in the Queensberry Hunt exhibition in the Victoria and Albert Museum, 2012
Summary
Queensberry Hunt are the leading UK ceramic design practice of the post-war period. Formed in 1966 by david Queensberry, then Professor of Ceramics at the RCA, and his former student Martin hunt. the partnership have designed ceramics for major producers and retailers around the globe. these include Wedgwood, Hornsea, Rosenthal, Habitat, Crate and Barrel, John Lewis and Jamie Oliver. Their practice spans a period of immense change in the industry, brought about by the adoption of new technologies, and the shift in production towards East Asia. Working in an essentially modernist aesthetic, Queensberry Hunt have been responsible for some of the most familiar and best-selling tableware of recent decades.
This 'Concept' series was designed by Martin Hunt for Hornsea in 1977. In its crisp but subtle surface relief, 'Concept' exploited the design possibilities afforded by 'vibrating polishing' (vibrating the piece in a container loaded with ceamic pellets). This created smooth unglazed surfaces. Another critical and commercial success, 'Concept' won a Design Council Award in 1977.
Collection
Accession number
C.23-2014

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Record createdApril 1, 2014
Record URL
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