'Contrast' coffee pot and cover of stoneware with a brown body, of the Lancaster tableware range, aerographed and machine banded decoration, designed by Martin Hunt, made by Hornsea Pottery Co. Ltd., Hornsea, ca. 1975.

Coffee pot and cover of stoneware and with a brown body.

Given by the maker

The ware was promoted for its technical achievements: fully vitrified through high-firing: it was chip-resistant, oven, dishwasher and freezer-safe and the pebble-smooth finish did not mark. The rich chocolate brown colour is an industrial reference to the 'brown mug' aesthetic in studio pottery which was widely popular in the 1970s. The chunky shape with generous curves in the handle and lid, showing an Art Nouveau influence, are a witty contrast to the earnest brown clay body and the distinctive surface.

This was Martin Hunt's first design for Hornsea to win a Design Council Award. Hornsea was prepared to experiment technically to achieve better design results, something which set it apart from other manufacturers of this time. 'Contrast' was also the pottery's best-selling range for over twelve years.

CIRC.51&A-1977