It Was A Household Icon In The 60s — Now It's Valuable Ceramic You Should Be Looking Out For

Trends in ceramic styles have come and gone over the years. Now, there are quite a few vintage ceramics from decades past that are considered more valuable in modern times than when they first hit store shelves. This is the case for Portmeirion Totem ceramic pieces. These vintage collectibles were first sold in 1963. Designed by Susan Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion Totem ceramics feature raised geometric patterns and bold colors with a glossy finish. This ceramics line is known for its tall, slender cylinder-shaped pieces that stand out among other items.

These days, collectors are willing to pay high prices for vintage Portmeirion Totem pieces. If you're lucky enough to have some of these ceramics on hand, you can make quite a profit by reselling them, as you can observe when searching for them online. For example, the Vintage Portmeirion Totem Coffee Service in Deep Blue is priced at $302 on Chairish. If this price is out of your budget, you might be able to score Portmeirion Totem ceramics at your local thrift store. These pieces are difficult to find, but it's worth keeping an eye out for them. You might even want to make the thrifted vintage ceramics into your home's centerpiece.

If you plan to purchase Portmeirion Totem pieces, there are a few identifiers to keep in mind to ensure you've found the authentic vintage ceramics. First, check for an oval backstamp — this should contain the pattern name of that particular item. Next, evaluate the weight of the ceramics, as the original pieces made in the '60s were heavier than the newer Portmeirion Totem ceramics made in later years. These tips should help you differentiate real pieces from replicas in stores. As for online shopping, eBay and Etsy are great places to find Portmeirion Totem ceramics.

The famous full Portmeirion Totem sets included 15 pieces, and you may find it impossible to locate a complete collection. Searching for these items online reveals that they are primarily sold as smaller sets that do not include all of the pieces found in the originals, though you can still use these as statement pieces, which is the key to using old vintage ceramics as decor. However, if you insist on hunting down all 15 pieces, you will likely have to purchase from multiple sellers or opt for replicas as a last resort. You may prefer to do this to save money if you're unable to find Portmeirion Totem for an affordable price by keeping an eye out for the vintage pottery brand at your local thrift store.