Robert Gordon Pottery

Designer	Homage to June Dyson ramekin from 1960s
Maker	Robert Gordon
Marks	Stamped “Cutie Pies Robert Gordon Australia made in china” in black ink to base.
Material	Glazed slip
Description	Gloss glazed slip in pale pastel colours.  Mould formed with flat handle moulded to top of rim, splayed at end.  Unglazed foot ring.
Condition	Very good
Number	No number
Production Date	1990s
Width at rim	110mm
Width at Base	65mm
Depth	65mm
Length (with handle)	140mm
Weight	280gm
Volume	300ml
Acquisition	Purchase Waverly Antiques 24 October 2014
Rameking Reference Number	RGP 001 to 004

Just like mother used to make.  That is what you could say about these ramekins.  Similar in design to earlier June Dyson ramekins.  The “Cutie Pies” range is no longer made, but these examples survive.  These ramekins are stamped “made in china” as part of the base.  The full stamp says “Cutie Pies Robert Gordon Australia made in china”.  Earlier works made in Gembrook at the Pack Track Pottery are hand painted with “Robert Gordon” or just, “Gordon” in oxide. Wares made at the Robert Gordon Pottery in Pakenham are stamped 'Robert Gordon Pottery Australia', 'Robert Gordon Pottery Australian Made' or 'Robert Gordon Australia'. But the story and inspiration for Robert Gordon dates long before. 

Andy’s mother, the renowned Australian potter June Dyson, first set up her studios in 1945. June formed a partnership with her husband Colin who became the company’s business director. And it was June’s second son Robert Andrew “Andy” Gordon, who showed most interest in the pottery, helping out in the studios from his early twenties. It was inevitable that Andy would one day follow in his mother’s footsteps.  And having married his English wife Barbara, the couple set about building their dream.

  

June Dyson Ramekins from the 1950s or 60s.

Over thirty years ago, in 1979, ‘Andy’ walked into a ten by eight foot tin shed in Gembrook, a small town in the Dandenong Ranges outside Melbourne, picked up a lump of clay and turned his potters wheel. The “Pack Track Pottery” was born. Production was transported to St Kilda Sunday market and other locations around Melbourne.  Sales increased and larger premises were needed.

One of Robert Gordon early unglazed earthenware ramekins

By 1987 the company had outgrown the tin shed and needed to expand. Two factories in Pakenham were bought and Robert Gordon had grown from a tin shed with a dirt floor to a large purpose built headquarters.  It was also the time to bring new staff into the business. Andy and Barbara didn’t have to look far, their four children Hannah, Kate, Bobby and Sam all joined the business. History had repeated with a third generation in pottery.  Eventually up to 100 people were employed, but cheaper imports caused the business to suffer and contract to one location.  Now their children are an integral part of the company. Each one plays a different and vital role, helping to shape Robert Gordon today. More than sixty years of heritage and three generations of potters. Robert Gordon. Proud of its past, its future fired with imagination.

Robert Gordon is one of the last remaining production potteries in Australia, responsible for over 150,000 individual products per year (think tableware, kitchenware and other high-end ceramic homewares).  In addition to this impressive output, in recent years the business has diversified, and now imports selected product from all over the world to complement their core range of locally manufactured product.  From their headquarters and factory in Pakenham, Robert Gordon now employs around 40 people, stocks over 3000 independent retailers in Australia, the U.S.A, Canada, U.K and New Zealand.

Around 4 tonnes of clay is used each week.  The clay is sourced in New South Wales, milled at Clayworks in Dandenong Victoria.  Clayworks produces a wide range of earthenware and porcelain clays.  The milled clay is then shipped to Pakenham.  Their hollow ware is slip cast and their flatware is ram-pressed by machine.  Some products are still hand thrown.

For more, look at this website;  http://thedesignfiles.net/2014/02/family-portrait-the-gordons/