Troika Pottery

Troika Pottery artists, Troika history and the Troika marks

Troika Pottery was set up in 1963 by Benny Sirota, Leslie Illsley and Jan Thomson, with Jan Thomson being bought out in 1965.

In 1963, Troika Pottery was set up in Wheal Dream near Porthgwidden beach in St Ives and this is now the St Ives Museum.

Troika was based on the ground floor and originally took over the Powell and Wells Pottery.

Benny Sirota had the potting experience and Leslie Illsley had trained as a sculptor.

Leslie Illsley concentrated on the design of moulded pieces and Benny experimented with surface textures and glazes.

This unique combination led to the development of the smooth glossy finishes and textured surfaces that Troika pottery is famous for.

Initial Troika products were developed from the tile and doorknob blanks left over from the Wells pottery.

But Leslie quickly developed master Troika moulds for teapots, coffee sets and mugs with floor and wall tiles coming along after.

The Troika team approached and formed a good relationship with Heals of London and this provided steady orders until around 1978.

In 1970, the Wheal Dream site was bought by the St Ives Council and Troika pottery moved to Fragden Place in Newlyn

Troika pottery moved to Fragden Place in Newlyn in 1970 and increased production.

The partners purchased an old salting house in Fragden Place, Newlyn, which they renovated and produced a large working space which allowed them to increase production.

Orders boomed and more staff were employed to deal with the increased workload.

The Troika coffin vase was released and, just as now, proved very popular.

In 1980, Benny Sirota left having taken a decreasing role in the business.

In 1983, Leslie Illsey was forced to close the Troika pottery business having lost the Heals orders and due to ever declining sales in the late seventies and early eighties.

Recommended Reading: Troika Pottery St. Ives by Carol Cashmore ( Mar 1994) and Troika Ceramics of Cornwall by George Perrott and Wendy Perrott (Mar 2003)

Tips on Identifying Genuine Troika Pottery Pieces ...

Almost all Troika pottery was made in moulds, with most items having one basic mould.

Textured pieces had moulds with several different designs and decorators were given the freedom to modify textured moulds providing principal colour combinations were used.

Apart from the Troika base mark the potential collector or buyer should ask and ensure the following criteria are met ...

• Is the Troika piece made of moulded earthenware
• Does it have a textured surface
• Is it decorated with abstract designs
• Is it decorated in earthy, muted colours
• Does the shape fit and does it reflect cornish landscape influences
• Does it have a hand painted Troika base mark

The St Ives Museum, Porthgwidden Beach Cornwall