THE GILL PEMBERTON INFLUENCE

Gill Pemberton was one of Denby's most talented designers of the 1960's. Her basic objective was to translate the traditional qualities of Denby stoneware into contemporary sculptural shapes which could be appreciated as objects of beauty and balance whilst retaining their functional qualities.

Always working directly with the throwers, modellers and chemists, her ideas were translated directly to the clay.

Arabesque tableware was an extension of a small set of giftware, designed by Gill Pemberton in 1962/3, which included three differently sized jars, a large goblet and a salad bowl. The stylish jugs and cups of Arabesque had the same ergonomically correct handles as those on Chevron. A visit to Russia had inspired the exotic red and gold hand-painted decoration, which she evolved, and which was later executed by her decorator, 'Trish' Seal. Initially the pattern had been hand-painted directly onto the raw, unfired brown glaze but this was a difficult technique perfect. Arabesque was produced for a short time using a decal or transfer. The intention had been to call the range Samarkand but when the Portmerion Pottery exhibited a range under that name, an alternative had to be found.

The red centre of each flower 'lifted' and highlighted the pattern, There are three theories for its appearance. Firstly, Gill placed it there herself. Secondly, it arrived accidental when a small piece of glaze dropped onto a pot during an experimental firing. Thirdly, Norman Wood was considering a prototype for Arabesque, which was then minus its red spot. Taking a red biro to the pot and touching the centre of each flower he said, 'That's what is needed'. As Gill says today, 'lt was probably a combination of all three factors – it evolved, as all good designs must.'