Troika Pottery 1963-1983

Troika Pottery was founded in 1963 by three partners: Benny Sirota, Leslie Illsley, and Jan Thompson. Of the three, only Sirota had any experience as a potter; Illsley was an artist and sculptor, while Thompson was an architect and acted as a silent partner. The name Troika comes from the Russian word for “a group of three,” reflecting the original team—although by 1965 Thompson was no longer involved, having been bought out by the other two. Each partner put in £1,000 to buy the stock of Powell & Wells Pottery at Wheal Dream in St Ives and to lease the ground floor of the building as their studio.

To get started, they used leftover tile and doorknob blanks from Powell & Wells to make their first pieces. As the business grew, Illsley began producing moulds based on Sirota’s thrown and slab-built designs. Sirota also worked on building up the business side, securing partnerships with stores like Heal’s and Liberty. These helped balance the ups and downs of the summer tourist trade and meant Troika could stay open all year.

Over time, Troika became known for two main styles: smooth glazed pieces and, more famously, rough, textured ware. The textured pieces were usually made using moulds and then hand-decorated by Troika’s designers, allowing the company to meet demand while giving each piece individuality.

In 1970, St Ives Council terminated Troika’s lease at Wheal Dream, so the company moved to larger premises in Newlyn later that year. They kept a shop in St Ives, which Sirota continued to run.

By the late 1970s, however, tastes were changing. Heal’s stopped selling Troika in 1978, and a year later the government doubled VAT on pottery. Sirota left the business in 1980, and cheaper imported pottery began flooding the market. By 1983, financial pressures had become too much—the bank foreclosed on the company’s loan, and Illsley had to sell his house in an attempt to meet repayments. Troika eventually closed in December 1983.

Below are some highlights from a group of Troika pottery offered in lots 111–123 of April’s Cardiff Monthly auction, all from a single-owner collection.

Cardiff Monthly auction takes place on 28th April at 10am. View the full catalogue here.