Cornishware

Cornishware: British striped ceramics since 1924

Cornishware is a tableware and homeware brand recognizable for its classic striped designs. Its catalog includes mugs, plates, bowls, storage jars, teapots, jugs, and serving pieces, with customization options on many items. The company sells both first-quality products and second-quality items (known as seconds), which have minor imperfections and cannot be customized.

Production and origin

The brand has a long tradition in ceramics manufacturing. Historically, Cornishware was produced in Church Gresley, Derbyshire. Since 2017, production has mainly moved to the West Country in southwest England, where traditional Cornish clay and glaze, used since the 1920s, are used along with time-honored manufacturing techniques. More than 80% of the products sold are currently made at its site in southwest England, where the company employs 35 people under the direction of Charles Rickards and his daughter Rebecca. The company highlights that it takes 25 people to make a single piece of Cornishware.

Flat items, such as plates and bowls, are decorated by hand, while handled pieces are made using similar highly skilled techniques, including applying wax relief to the cream-colored areas before a hand-dipping process.

Catalog and collections

Cornishware's offering spans several color lines, including Cornish Blue, Cornish Red, Cornish Orange, Cornish Black, Cornish Blackberry, Adder Green, and Summer Rose. Products include mugs in various sizes (10oz, 12oz, 15oz), cereal and pasta bowls, main plates, breakfast plates, teapots, Dreadnought jugs in various sizes, large serving bowls, and storage jars. Sets are also offered, such as the 16-piece plate and bowl set or the set of 4 cereal bowls in assorted colors.

The company launches seasonal collections, such as the Halloween collection, featuring designs of pumpkins, spiders, cats, ghosts, and ants, and the Summer Rose collection. Some items allow adding a personalized message. The catalog shows prices in pounds sterling and occasional promotions, such as sales of second-quality items at a discount.

Features and care

According to the company's information, all its ceramic products are dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe up to 225 ºC. They should not be placed on a direct heat source (such as halogen burners, electric hobs, or gas burners) or go directly from the freezer to a hot oven.

Customer service and purchasing policies

Cornishware offers free UK delivery on orders over £35.00. It has a customer service team available Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., by email, phone, or live chat. The company manages tracked orders through DPD or Royal Mail.

The returns policy allows returning products within 30 days of delivery, provided they are unused and in original packaging. Returns of personalized or second-quality items are not accepted, unless there is a manufacturing defect. Late returns incur a 10% handling fee. The returns address is TG Green Ltd, Alham Farm, Batcombe, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA46DD.

The company also offers a gift registry service for weddings or special occasions.

Presence and recognition

The brand has been described by Keith Brymer Jones as one of the most iconic and recognizable ceramic ranges ever produced. Harrods visited Cornishware's headquarters to film a video about the exclusive collection and the artisanal process. Cornishware also offers factory tours and pottery workshops.