The Troika Collection
The Troika Collection has been created as a tribute to the Cornish ‘Troika Pottery Company’ that pioneered an inspirational new design concept in the 1960s and 70s.
The work is created on boxed, stretched canvas using a variety of natural and manufactured materials including paper products, sand and plaster, acrylic paints and varnishes. The art has been designed to reflect the geometric shapes and textured surfaces of the original Troika pottery style. As a further tribute, each piece has been named after a Cornish town or village.
The pieces in this collection can be displayed individually, or in groups to create a larger installation. The style and adaptability of the art is especially suited for the modern home and workplace. Every piece is totally individual and unique and can never be reproduced or repeated.
More about Troika Pottery
The Troika Pottery Company was founded at the Wells Pottery at Wheal Dream, St. Ives on the 1st of May 1963. The three founders were sculptor and painter Leslie Illsley, Potter Benny Sirota and architect Jan Thompson, who left in 1965.
Illsley primarily worked on shapes, which were produced in moulds, while Sirota handled surface design and glazes. Scandinavian ceramics of the period were a strong influence and Leslie Illsley particularly admired artist Paul Klee and sculptor Constantin Brancusi.
The 1960s saw much growth, spurred on by the tourist industry, and a number of London stores stocked Troika wares. In 1970 the pottery expanded and moved to Newlyn, where new shapes and designs were introduced – by 1974 textured ware dominated the range. The pottery closed in 1983 due to less expensive imports and more people holidaying abroad rather than in Cornwall.
In recent years, Troika pottery has gained new popularity amongst collectors with some pieces selling at auction for hundreds of pounds, especially if signed by the founders.
Learn more about Troika Pottery at the Digital Museum of Cornish Ceramics and at Perfect Pieces, where you can also purchase original items of Troika pottery. Further information about Troika is available in the book ‘Troika Ceramics of Cornwall’, available from our store.
