This is a rare little trinket box or desktop cigarette box made in the 1960s by Portmeirion Pottery.
The lid is printed with a view across the Thames looking towards St Paul's Cathedral. The design is part of the London Series - as designed by Susan Williams-Ellis in the early 1960s. I also have a black and white one from the series showing the Tower of London in my shop.
Items with the London designs were still advertised in 1964 and continued for only a few years after that before they were discontinued. This St Paul's motif was one of three designs (including the Temple Bar and the Tower of London).
The black and gold transfers of traditional engravings were used by Portmeirion and continued to be produced into the early 1960's.
I have owned this box for many years and it has always been looked after and it is just a really fine condition.
My lidded box has a typical matt black glaze found on a variety of Portmeirion wares at this time. The lid has a printed decoration in gold (quite unusual). A black and white version of this box is illustrated in Stephen's book on "Portmeirion Pottery" on page 36.
Dimensions: 5 inches x 4 1/4 inches. The height is approx. 2 inches.
UK Postage will be with Royal Mail Recorded post. This will cost £4.95 and applied to your order at the checkout.