Retro canisters | re:retro

Hornsea Bronte canisters
made in England 1976

Hornsea Pottery started in 1949 in England and finished production in 2000. In 1970s John Clappison designed the successful – and now very collectible- canister sets ‘Heirloom’, Saffron and this set ‘Bronte’.

Each of the canister patterns has a different, repeating pattern in different colours: Heirloom is brown & green, Saffron is tan & orange and Bronte- this set- is sepia & green. I do like the Bronte design and colourway the best.

The canisters have teak lids with rubber rings; it’s best to check if the rubber is still intact and can keep the canisters air-tight and that the teak hasn’t deteriorated or warped so the lid is still snug fitting. Each of these canisters passed the test- and have the well-known Hornsea imprint along with 1976- the year of their production.

I have resisted collecting Hornsea up to now- although so many people do- but this set was in such good condition I couldn’t resist. And there’s five of them- so they look great displayed together, rather than just having a single piece. And I like the font!

The five Hornsea canisters are for sale: $AUD150. Start your Hornsea canister collection today!

Bessemer White Series
made in Melbourne, c. 1970s

Bessemer products – made from melamine – were made by the Nylex Melmac Corporation which started production in the mid 60s. These beautiful pieces were designed by Lionel Suttie-an industrial designer-and were produced in Melbourne until the mid 70s.

It’s interesting that Mr Suttie is remembered as Bessemer’s lead designer: this was the first time that condiment or tableware made from plastic [melamine] was thought to be worthy of design – that the humble mass-produced sugar bowl could make a design statement. And this set of three- two lidded condiment containers and a jug- is rare in that it is white and has never been used.

This set can be used as intended- melamine is a strong plastic resistant to scratching and the set is ‘as new’ – or they can form part of a funky 70s display. I have teamed them with a hand-woven white and green raffia oil bottle- also c. 1970s- as a visual contrast.

Think the Beatles White Album [1968.] Think the white Bessemer series; for sale: $AUD55

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