Here for your consideration is a very rare and beautiful, genuine/authentic, 1970-73, large 22" Troika 'pillar' vase, from the Newlyn period. It has all the Troika markings to the base and also the decorators initials MP for Marilyn 'Murphy' Pascoe. Please take time to look at all 12 photos to fully appreciate the quality of workmanship in this stunning vase !!

Marilyn 'Murphy" Pascoe was one of the most creative of the artists, who worked for Troika, between 1968-1973. It's a stunning piece of Troika pottery with a striking 'Peruvian' design on one side and a circular abstract design on the other. The vase is basically three colours, blue/green, rustic brown and a lovely burnt orange, real earthy colours !!

These pillar vases were designed by Leslie Illsley and balance wickedly on a tiny diamond shaped base, as if waiting for the right moment to fall over, however due to its clever weighting distribution, its actually remarkably stable in real life. In designing this magnificent piece of art sculpture Leslie Illsley was seeing how far he could push the boundaries, how high he could build and how extravagant the point of balance could be.  

This vase is in excellent original condition: no nicks, chips, fleabites, scratches, damage or restoration. It does have some internal white glaze, age related discolouration, commensurate with 46 years of age, and the usual textured imperfections associated with Troika, but nothing unusual.

Troika made these vases using moulds and soon realised that once a few vases had been put through the moulds, the moulds would start deteriorating, so rather than going to the expense of creating new moulds, Troika embraced the imperfections, after realising they enhanced the character of their pieces. The now famous textured range was born, basically to hide the imperfections of the failing moulds.

Dimensions as follows ....

Height: 22 inches or 56 cm

Width: 7.25 inches or 18.5 cm (widest point)

Width: 5.75 inches or 14.7 cm (top)

Width: 4 inches or 10 cm (base)

length: 5.25 inches or 13.3 cm (base)

Weight  5lb 12 oz or 2.69 kg

If you're considering purchasing a piece of Troika, please be careful, because we are seeing quite a lot of fakes about at the moment. Purchase from a trusted Troika dealer/Antique dealer, also look for age related wear to the base, between (35-50 years approx) St Ives or Cornwall markings, and check out the decorators signature, on the internet at cornishceramics.com hope this helps.

Troika was set up in 1963 by Benny Sirota, Leslie Illsley and Jan Thompson at Wheal Dream near Porthgwidden beach in St Ives. The Wheal Dream site was eventually bought by the St Ives council and Troika was forced to move out in 1970. Benny Sirota and Lesley Illsley then bought an old salting house in Fragden place, Newlyn, which they had to renovate. Production of Troika carried on at Newlyn, Cornwall, until it's closure in 1983, hence why you'll find some pieces of Troika marked St Ives and some marked Cornwall. Troika in Russian means (a sledge of three horses) i.e the three directors and because Benny Sirota's grandfather escaped Russia in a Troika, and why you'll also see the three pronged trident symbol on some early Troika pieces.

A very rare opportunity to purchase a magnificent Troika pillar vase, that has become so very desirable/collectable, and will only appreciate in value. This highly sought-after Troika vase would make a superb gift, and solid future investment. 

A really striking piece of Troika pottery sculpture. Interesting and unusual pieces of Troika are beginning to command extremely strong prices, basically because people are beginning to realise not only do these pieces have a useful function, but more importantly it's 60s art sculpture, at it's very best.

This delightful Troika pillar vase will be sent out recorded, special delivery with insurance.

Please note, all my international postal charges are only estimates and will be confirmed and altered up or down when I know the destination to where, items are being sent. Please also note I only charge actual costs of postage and packaging with insurance, no more.

Please feel free to look at my other items.