Most of the things we touch during the day are mass-produced and quickly forgotten. Our new collaboration with North London potter Emma Lacey is designed to be the opposite. As part of our Women in Print exhibition, Emma has created a range of mugs, planters, and door finger plates that bring the hand of the maker back into the home.
The inspiration for this collection comes from May Morris. For a long time, May’s work was overshadowed by her father, William. Even her famous Honeysuckle design from 1883 was credited to him for decades. May’s style was actually quite different; it was less formal and focused on the untamed look of woody stems and curling leaves. This collection is about giving May her due as one of the most important figures in decorative arts.
Emma Lacey is known for making ceramics that feel good to hold, and she has found a way to bridge the gap between May’s 19th-century embroidery and modern pottery. To do this, Emma uses a mix of old and new techniques. While each piece is hand-thrown on a traditional potter’s wheel or rolled out by hand, she also uses 3D-printed stamps to press details from archival wallpaper patterns into the wet clay.
These imprints aren't just for show. They create a textured surface where the glossy glazes can pool and change depth, making the pieces tactile and interesting to handle. Some items also feature a technique where ceramic patterns are screen-printed directly onto the clay, capturing the fine lines of May’s original sketches.
The goal was to create objects that people will want to keep for a lifetime. As Emma says, she wants people to fall in love with her pieces rather than just have a brief affair with them. By focusing on longevity and the connection between the person who made the object and the person who uses it, this range follows the original spirit of the Artsand Crafts movement.
The full collection is available exclusively at the William Morris Gallery. Every purchase helps us continue our work in conservation and supports the independent makers who keep these traditional crafts alive.
You can shop the exclusive collection here