A few weeks ago I went out on a Monday morning and saw these in the window of a Vinnies. Immediate recognition. I bought a full set of six matte green mugs and the jug in the early seventies. They were probably earlier from the thirties because of the script mark on them. I sold them all twelve years ago with the rest of the Keith Murray collection when I down-sized before coming into the new apartment.
Recently I've learnt that the set was called a "lemonade set". I had thought it was for beer. An Australian sensibility. To me they look straight out of Valhalla.
Keith Day Pearce Murray (5 July 1892 - 1981) was a New Zealander. In 1936 Keith Murray was appointed architect in charge of designing the new Wedgwood factory at Barlaston, Staffordshire. He was an architect and designer working in ceramics, glass and metalware. He was a designer for Wedgwood in the 1930s and 1940s. In glass he worked for Stevens & Williams of Brierley Hill. Objects of great desire! Limited edition pieces only issued in quantities of six or twelve. In metal he worked for Mappin and Webb.
These have the Wedgwood, Barlaston mark and that lovely engine turned decoration. There were four. One of them had a hairline. I've learnt now to leave the imperfect pieces behind.
I missed the others that I had and sold so I am going to keep these and use them for beer, on occasions!