Troika Pottery (England) ceramics

Troika Pottery was an art pottery that operated in Cornwall, England from 1962 to 1983. It was founded by Leslie Illsley, Jan Thompson and Benny Sirota, who took over the Powell and Wells Pottery at Wheal Dream, where Sirota had previously worked as a decorator and driver. "Troika" is from the Russian for a "a set of three", or triumvirate. The pottery was founded on the principle of creating pottery as art, without regard to function. This ran counter to the aims of much of the studio pottery movement at the time, as epitomised by the work of Bernard Leach. Troika's early works were characterized by their bold, geometric designs and their use of unconventional materials, such as plastic and resin.  

The pottery soon earned a reputation for its innovative and experimental designs. In 1968, Troika's work was first exhibited at Heals and Liberty in London, and more... the pottery soon became a popular destination for tourists visiting St Ives. In 1970, the pottery moved to larger premises in Fradgan Place, Newlyn. In the mid-1970s, Troika's popularity began to decline. This was due to a number of factors, including changing public taste, declining tourism, and tensions between the three founders. Benny Sirota left the pottery in 1980, and the business closed in 1983. Despite its relatively short lifespan, Troika Pottery left a lasting legacy. The pottery's bold and experimental designs helped to redefine the boundaries of studio pottery, and its work is now highly sought-after by collectors.