Sophie Wilson / 1690 Store
Sophie Wilson is a British ceramicist and founder of 1690 Ceramics, making beautiful illustrative pieces are rooted in traditional craft and folklore. Creating from her 16th-century home in Lincolnshire, her work is a celebration of all things imperfect and lived-in, with a philosophy that home — and what we choose to surround ourselves with — is our most creative endeavour.
Her practice emerged after she opened a shop in her home as the original form of 1690, making candles, balms, and jams for sale. Discovering ancient pottery shards in her garden inspired an ambition to create the same sense of provenance in all her pieces. Here, her works in clay evolved as a direct consequence of the house into the distinctive pieces she is now so recognised for.
Her ceramics speak a language of craft, drawing inspiration from folkloric tales of the Fens and historical craft traditions. Working from a converted scullery in the house, she crafts terracotta salt boxes, butter dishes, and other vessels in her signature sgraffito-slipware. Each piece features whimsical illustrative or literary inscriptions, creating playful dialogues between past and present craftsmanship.
Her work has gained international recognition, appearing in The New York Times, The Sunday Times, The Financial Times, and Inigo Almanac.
