Portmeirion Botanic Garden - Older Backstamps Tea / Side Plate

Portmeirion Founder Susan Williams-Ellis first discovered her inspiration for the Botanic Garden range following a visit to an antiquarian bookshop with her husband Euan Cooper-Willis. Stumbling upon a book of hand colored floral illustrations, Susan decided that the bright, eye-catching images would provide the basis for an innovative collection of dinnerware and cookware.

The successful combination of individual floral illustrations on white ceramic shapes led Susan to source yet more books, such as that by nineteenth century illustrator William Clark in "The Moral of Flowers" by Mrs Hay. Butterfly motifs and a green leaf border were added to complete the design while the name, Botanic Garden, was given to the collection by Susan, saying, "This is the only way that anyone can account for such a mixture of plants and butterflies all living together".