Vintage Wesuma Pottery Vase – Hand-Painted Bird & Woodland Scene – Post-War Weston-super-Mare (c.1950s–60s)
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Add a burst of joyful colour and British studio pottery heritage to your home with this beautifully hand-painted vase from Wesuma Pottery, the cherished Weston-super-Mare workshop run by I. W. Lemon & Son. Stamped clearly on the base, this piece is a wonderful example of their post-war revival period – a time when small regional potteries brought creativity, optimism and colour back into everyday life.
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Finished in a vivid cobalt blue glaze, the vase features a flared trumpet shape and a deep glossy black interior. The decoration is unmistakably Wesuma: a spirited stylised bird swooping through leafy branches, rendered in confident, expressive brushstrokes. The red terracotta clay body and gentle all-over crazing give it a warm, rustic authenticity.
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A Piece With Wartime History
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Wesuma Pottery was directly affected during the WWII bombing raids over Weston-super-Mare. Their premises suffered bomb damage in the early 1940s, and production slowed dramatically due to rationing, labour shortages and wartime restrictions. After the war, the Lemon family rebuilt, revived their kilns, and began producing a new wave of bright, uplifting decorative pieces for the booming holiday trade returning to the Somerset coast.
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This vase belongs firmly to that post-war renaissance, dating to around 1950–1960. Its bold colour, nature-inspired imagery and upbeat character reflect the renewed energy and optimism of Britain’s mid-century years — a time when handmade craft found its way back into British homes.
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A beautiful collectible for lovers of British regional pottery, mid-century décor or anyone who appreciates a piece with both charm and history.
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Maker: Wesuma Pottery – I. W. Lemon & Son, Weston-super-Mare
Date: c.1950s–60s (Post-WWII revival period)
Material: Hand-painted glazed earthenware
Condition: Good vintage condition with light wear and typical glaze crazing.
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Size: approx 20cm height x 7cm diameter
