Throughout the twentieth century certain British ceramic designers have made an outstandingly influential contribution to the pottery industry. Against a backdrop of great artistic, economic and social change their ability to anticipate and to respond to the latest trends in art and design enabled them to lead the pottery market, rather than follow. In responding to the practical needs of the customer their work proved popular and commercial in its day and is now much sought after by collectors. Whilst many of the featured designers were most prolific and celebrated during the period between the wars, this publication also covers the austerity years of the forties and fifties. It then takes us through the innovative and expansive sixties and seventies, right up to the end of the century. This work, the first major study of its kind, concentrates on those pioneering designers who attempted to improve the quality of both shape and decoration by creating modern tableware designs that were contemporar