A Guide to Troika Pottery

Few British studio ceramics capture the avant-garde spirit of the 20th century quite like Troika. Founded in Cornwall in 1963 by Leslie Illsley, Jan Thompson, and Benny Sirota, Troika broke away from traditional functional pottery, embracing brutalist geometry, rough tactile glazes, and bold relief carving. From early St Ives wares to later Newlyn productions, each piece reflects a unique fusion of sculpture and craft, brought to life by individual decorators whose distinctive monograms remain prized by collectors worldwide. Whether you are drawn to iconic wheel vases or slab-built coffins, this guide offers everything needed to identify, value, and curate authentic Troika pottery.