Looking to get your hands on unique and beautiful tableware, that is tough enough for everyday use? Nicholas Mosse has exactly that.
Nicholas and Susan Mosse run their business from a Mill located in Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny.
Their purpose and passion is creating and designing distinctive tableware that doesn’t sit in a cupboard waiting for that special occasion to arrive once or twice a year but instead is used every day, enhancing the joy of serving and sharing food.
It all started 55 years ago when Nick was captivated by the aesthetic beauty of clay and its possibilities when he was just seven years old.
Nicholas and Susan believe the unending love and care behind the tableware they make helps add ‘a little something’ to every occasion whether that be a quiet cup of tea, a family meal or special family gatherings.
Every piece of pottery produced is created and designed by hand. The application of patterns involve an age old tradition dating back to the 18th century. Through the use of cut sponges, each pattern is individually dabbed onto each piece of pottery.
With many steps involved in the process, Nick personally trains every individual decorator that works at Nicholas Mosse.
The Mill
Located in Bennettsbridge, Nicholas Mosse is based in a mill steeped in history. Nick and Susan purchased the Mosse family mill and lovingly restored its hydro electrical power to fire the pottery.
Sadly, in 1985 the mill was extensively damaged in a fire, but that did not deter Susan and Nick from restoring it to its former glory, creating the hub and engine of Nicholas Mosse pottery.
The Design
Susan Mosse, is the creative force behind each original and distinctive pattern, taking inspiration from the hedgerows and wildflowers surrounding her in the captivating countryside of Bennettsbridge and her famous Kilfane garden, which is now open to the public.
Susan produces just one new pattern a year, pouring endless amounts of love and care into each one, developing her patterns using sketches. Once developed, Nick and the rest of the team adapt that one pattern into over 60 shapes.
For more fascinating information on the process and behind the scenes at Nicholas Moose visit nicholasmosse.com